- November is Chili month in Texas, not that you can't enjoy good Texas chili any time of the year. But November is special because it's the month the annual Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff takes place in the Big Bend region, bringing together thousands of chili cooks, aficionados and crazies to celebrate the cuisine. It's the ultimate chili head event in the world as four days of cookin', tastin', drinkin' and dancin' entertain the 10,000-plus enthusiasts who have come to enjoy the Big Bend sky, the wide open spaces and the best darn chili ever made. It all started in 1967 when Texas chili cook Wick Fowler accepted an invitation to put his best recipe up against a California restaurant owner known for "good" chili. Ever since it has been the ultimate chili experience. Hundreds of cooks and thousands of spectators flock to the remote West Texas site "behind the store" the first week in November. In addition to high quality performances from Texas music makers, the antics and "showmanship" of the chili cooks involved in the festival is renowned and keeps the crowd entertained. In fact, the Best Showmanship award is a highly coveted trophy that brings out the best of competing cooks. Also featured this year, the Champion of Champion Invitational Chili Cookoff, a chance for all past champions to compete for the "Best Chili in the World". But the Main Event, in addition to the International Championship underway, is the return of Don Eastep, a name of notoriety in Texas chili circles. It all started at the 37th annual Original Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert-Wick Fowler Memorial Championship Chili Cookoff. Don's brother Larry had originally entered the competition, but was unable to make it, so Don went in his place. Only problem is, Don didn't have a chili recipe. Don didn't cook any chili that day. What Don did was take tasting samples from other chili cooks at the competition and mixed them together for a blend of championship chilis, and somehow, Don won. He gave up the trophy after the fraud was discovered, but not without permanent branding that dubbed Eastop a "chili thief," among other names. You could call it an embarrassment to chili judges and the competition itself. Or you could argue that it just goes to prove that chili contestants make some mighty fine chili - the best in fact. The truth is, even though Eastep claims it was just a prank, it did cause a lot of gossip, tales, rumors, innuendoes, and a strong response from Texas chili lovers. In fact, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has issued a temporary gubernatorial pardon to Mr. Eastop in order for him to travel back to Texas, under protection of the Governor, to compete once again in the International Classic. Texans apparently want know if Mr. Eastop can or can not cook a champion pot of chili - and now they get a chance to find out. Click on the pardon to enlarge. As far as the remaining chili cooks, they must compete in other cook-offs all over Texas and the U.S. for enough points before they can enter the contest at Terlingua. Gary P. Nunn plays Friday and Saturday night each year and this year is no exception, a highlight of the event. You’ll find plenty of refreshment, various games and thousands of chili loving party goers just hanging around waiting for a taste. Be warned, Terlingua has no motels. But Study Butte, just a few miles down the road, has three. Lajitas on the Rio Grande, a resort, is about 25 miles away. You need to call months ahead if you want to stay at one of these places. Location: C.A.S.I. site, FM 170, approx. 7.5 miles west of junction of TX 118 and FM 170. Region: Texas Big Bend Country.