GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Members from Goodfellow and the San Angelo community were able to spend a day at the base’s Rec Camp comparing cars, motorcycles and sampling a variety of barbeque and chili during the Ruckus at the Rec Camp event Sept. 29.
Included in this event were the 44th Annual Armed Forces International Terlingua Chili Cook-Off and the 19th Annual Goodfellow Car and Motorcycle Show. Volunteers blind judged chili and barbeque from over 10 different competitors. To make the judging fair, all competitors submitted their samples in identical containers only marked with a number. After the judges sampled a chili they marked on a corresponding paper their ranking.
The top three Terlingua chili category winners earned competition rights to the Terlingua International Chili Championship, and the top 10 barbeque cooks earned points for the International Barbeque Cookers Association.
“This great event gives something for our military family and students to do, get out and have a good time,” said Col. Robert Ramirez, 17th Training Wing vice commander. “It also gives us a chance to give back to the community. San Angelo is a great community and does great things for us so we invited everyone to join us in this event.”
Booths were set up around the camp, allowing families to wander through and sample from each competitor before voting for their favorite.
“I was able to judge some of the barbeque and the Terlingua chili,” said Ramirez. “I hadn’t heard of it before and am a little ashamed at being a Texan and never knowing what it was.”
The chili competition had multiple categories, including Terlingua chili, squadron chili and anything goes. The classic Terlingua chili is not allowed to contain any beans, only meat and spices.
“I really appreciate being able to come out to the Ruckus and sample the different foods today,” said Wisconsin native, Airman 1st Class Matthew Read, 315th Training Squadron student. “I have only been at Goodfellow for a short time and being able to have this change of pace from basic training is really nice.”
After the car show and food sampling there was a concert that individuals were able to attend by Lake Nasworthy.
“Coming to an event like this reminds us of why we are here,” said Read. “Being able to get out and enjoy a weekend relaxing in America.”