Marble Falls chili cook lands international Great Pepper honors

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — When Larry “Doc” Kinnison and his wife, Carrie, joined the Highland Lakes Pod of the Chili Appreciation Society International in 1986, they did it purely as a way to meet people in their new home of Marble Falls.

“We did it as a social thing,” Doc said. “We didn’t cook chili and really probably didn’t see any reason to.”

After a few years bouncing around the pod and helping out, pod member Rudy Ross decided Doc needed a bit more seasoning and told him so. He was definitely Great Pepper of the pod material, but he needed to cook in order to garner the honor. So he and Carrie picked up a few recipes and bowls and began a hobby that’s taken them around the country and back to Terlingua every year since 1997.

This year at the Terlingua International Chili Championships on Oct. 28-Nov. 1, the cooks and pods across the country added a new title to Doc’s list of accomplishments.

They named him Great Pepper of the Year.

“This was a surprise,” he admitted. “But the best thing about it was my best friend was also nominated and we tied, so I get to share the title with him.”

And though chili cook-offs are “competitive” as cooks earn points based on their recipe and presentation, Doc stressed the friendliness of the competition. In fact, cooks such as Doc, who have some award-winning chili recipes, even offer them up to new cooks.

“I’ll give my recipe to anyone,” he said. “I’m going to give you a recipe that’s going to earn you points because this is not a spectator sport. I want people to cook and be involved. It’s really opened up a world of friendships for Carrie and myself.”

Over the years, the couple has criss-crossed the country attending chili cook-offs. Along the way, the Kinnisons have helped anybody they could who is interested in getting into the events. But they’ve also jumped in to help at the cook-offs, whether it’s Terlingua or another event, including Howdy-Roo, which is held each spring in Marble Falls.

“One of the first things I do when I get to Terlingua is ask ‘What can I do to help?,” Doc said. “I know how much work it takes to put on a chili cook-off. I know from all the years of helping out at Howdy-Roo. So when I can, I lend a hand.”

The other CASI pods and members noticed Doc’s efforts to not only help out but act as an ambassador for chili cooking wherever he went. Which comes back to his willingness to offer his recipes.

Doc pointed out having the recipe and making good chili aren’t the same thing.

“It takes a bit of practice because you have to know how long to boil the onions or other things and how many times to lift the lid,” he explained. “You have to work at it.”

But if he’s nearby while you’re cooking up a batch of chili — whether it’s your first or your one hundredth — Doc will offer tips and advice if you want them. He’s only trying to do what he can to keep CASI, the Highland Lakes Pod and chili cooking growing.

“I believe that a candle will never lose any brightness by lighting another candle,” Doc said. “So if you need help, I’m going to light your candle.”

Go to www.howdyroo.com for more information on the Highland Lakes Pod and Howdy-Roo.

daniel@thepicayune.com