Chili Weather at Chili Cook-off 

The suddenly chilly fall air was filled with tasty aromas at the Triangle this Saturday, as stoves were cooking up hot chili go warm up the people in attendance at this year’s Chili Cook-Off, which is held annually by the Dripping Springs Cook-Off Club. 

“Club members just want to compete. It is just a chill, fun event,” Michele Ryon, the club’s president, said. But the DS Cook-Off Club also raises money through this event, as well as other events throughout the year, which it then donates back to the community. “We gave away $12,500 this year. Our total donations since 2002 have been $167307.11,” Ryon said.

Recipients of the clubs generosity this year include Hometown Mission, Helping Hands, Hays County Child Protective Services, DSYSA Wrestling, and the DS Ag Boosters.

The Dripping Springs Cook-Off Club started in 1987, all on account because of much sought out bragging rights on who had the best barbeque in town. Claims of “Mine’s better. No, mine’s a lot better!” started it all, and it is now all a fundraising organization for the betterment of the community. 

The DS Cook-Off Club is a 501c3 non-profit with over 65 members. “The majority of members are active. Throughout the year, members show up and work at the events,” Ryon said. “The club earns money to give back to local, Dripping Springs’ charities, not Austin…Any organization that is need of funds can come to one of our meetings and plead their case and we vote on it.”

The club’s biggest fundraiser is in April, the Barbeque Cook-off at Founders Day, where the best brisket, chicken, and five other categories are judged. It’s been happening for the last thirty years. There are over 100 teams that compete and a large waiting list to enter, at the club’s premier event.

In June, the club serves up the Henly Volunteer Fire Department’s Barbeque [fundraiser], in September is their Fish Fry and membership drive, in autumn there’s the  Chili/Salsa Cook-off, and finally in December, there’s Christmas on Mercer.

For more information on becoming a member or compete at one of their events, please see  DSCOCTX.com or email at [email protected]