The 22nd Annual Lone Star Vegetarian Chili Cook-Off is being held this year in Austin, Texas on Sunday November 7th from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This annual vegetarian event began in 1989, when four vegetarian societies from across the state of Texas joined to form the Lone Star Vegetarian Network. In the years since, the cook-off has been held in multiple locations all across the state, including West Columbia, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, El Paso, South Padre Island, Fort Worth, and for the last several years in Austin. In 2008 the Cook-Off returned to the site of the original event in 1989, the historic Austin Farmers' Market on Burnet Road, and it's the site of the event again this year.

The goals of the Lone Star Vegetarian Chili Cook-Off are first, to have fun and entertain everyone, and second to show everybody by example that "regular" foods can be just as tasty when they're prepared vegetarian. Vegetarian food can come in very familiar and very delicious forms, and the classic Tex-Mex tradition of chili is a perfect example.

Every year nearly 1000 people come to taste the chilis prepared by around twenty different teams from all over the state of Texas. These chilis are all completely vegan, no animal products used in their preparation whatsoever. In addition to the competing chili teams, there are many informational and educational booths, products and services offered by local vendors, guest speakers, door prizes and giveaways, and live music and entertainment. As everyone moves from team to team, tasting and judging the chilis for themselves to determine the People's Choice award of $250, a group of seven or so judges, many of them Austin and Texas celebrities and personalities, judge the three winners of Best Chili, as well as Best Booth Theme/Design. Third place takes home $100, second place gets $200, and the Best Chili champion wins $300!

The cook-off is also open to the public and admission is only $8 for adults (13 years and older), $4 for children 6-12 years (free for children 5 and younger), and $5 for seniors and college students with valid school ID. Attendees get to taste all the vegan chilis and vote for their favorite. If you're interested in competing as a chili cook-off team, or if you're a vendor or organization interested in setting up a booth, please check the "Contestant" and "Exhibitor" links on the left for the information and forms you need.

The Lone Star Vegetarian Chili Cook-Off has been messin’ with this Texas tradition for 22 years now, keeping chili weird in Austin, but also vegan and delicious. Mark your calendar and plan to catch the fun. 

The Lone Star Vegetarian Network consists of these Texan vegetarian groups: Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston & San Antonio. Visit www.LSVN.org for a link to each Vegetarian group’s web site.