Central Texas Tolbert Chili Group
All Over Central Texas
ph: 512-507-4948
dwight








General Meeting Recap About 20 of the Usual Suspects showed up at Cedar Hall out in Lockhart on Saturday, January 21st for a bit of a meeting.
This past year has been tough to get through, and with each and every cookoff it seems that we found out once again, just how big BB's shoes really are to fill. We've come to the conclusion that contrary to how BB did it, one man cannot do it all.
There has to be a designated chairman for each scheduled chili cookoff. That designated chairman is responsible for contacting the venue to verify the event and to make sure that the venue is taking care of promotion. Trophy discussions will take place. The designated chairman will also be responsible for verifying that an adequate supply of Tolbert-sanctioned entry forms, chili and showmanship judging sheets, and an official winners recap form are available for use on the date of the cookoff.
Each cookoff also needs a head referee to oversee the judging process and conduct run-offs in the event of tied scores.
And, last but not least there needs to be a secretary. Not just someone yanked out of the crowd that just happens to have a scrap of paper and an ink pen. It has to be someone armed with a clipboard, the recap form and the promise to fill out, in full, the official winners list. Ultimately, the designated chairman is responsible to see to it that the winners recap sheet, together with the event entry forms are transmitted (electronically via internet or by good ol' US Post Office) to the folks keeping track in the Tolbert organization. ASAP. It does not need to be fancy typed and formatted stuff either. However, we really, really, REALLY appreciate legible handwriting.
Different cookoffs and their individual demands were discussed and some assignments were made. You folks that have already stepped up to the plate - we can't thank you enough. You Rock! However, we're still going to need volunteers at all the cookoffs down the road. Tables will always need setting, monitoring and clearing. Cups will still need numbering, and beverages will still need pulling. So, as you can see, there will be lots and lots of opportunities. And, good gravy! Don't be afraid to ask if we need a hand!
One of the biggest on going needs we have is for you folks to volunteer for preliminary chili judging. Who better to cull out the bad stuff than the folks that made it? Who knows more about competition chili than competition chili cooks? Why risk your perfect pot of red to John Q Citizen who wants to know why we don't put beans in our chili? Think about it. Next time, if you can, please sign up to judge prelims. Shoot! We'll even buy you a beer! Not being contrary to the above, if you are a new cook, believe us when we say that by the end of your first chili judging experience, you will have learned a lot about chili. The good and the bad. Information you will use down the road. It's official now - as soon as our current supply of judging cups is exhausted we will start using the new CTTCG standard issue cups - the short, squatty 16 oz version. It holds the same volume as the tall cup but has better stability and does not seem to have the bleed-through problems either. With just a couple of exceptions, CTTCG will provide all of the chili judging cups for upcoming cookoffs. Something else we touched on. Money. What we had last year and what we've got this year is a whole nother story. We know that the holidays had a pretty big impact on all of us, but we gotta get out there and support these cookoffs. Attendance has been pretty sketchy of late. 
Our next General Meeting will take place sometime in April. We'll announce the date and time well in advance so you can make plans to attend!
Central Texas Tolbert Chili Group
All Over Central Texas
ph: 512-507-4948
dwight