RoundupReads Spice and Space: A Flavorful Start to the Year at the First Chili Parade and 44th Annual Cook-Off

Spice and Space: A Flavorful Start to the Year at the First Chili Parade and 44th Annual Cook-Off

by Sumer Loggins | 2024-04-25

NASA’s Johnson Space Center launched its chili celebrations with the first ever showmanship parade on April 16, 2024, leading to the 44th annual cook-off on April 20.  

The parade, which started at the Gilruth Center and ended in the building 1 horseshoe area, showcased floats, food trucks like Magnolia Cajun Comfort and Cool Cow Creamery, and chili cook-off teams, allowing spectators to vote for their favorites. 

A group of people gather outside in front of a large pepper float.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center employees in front of the Center Operations Directorate pepper float at the building 1 horseshoe area during the Chili Cook-off showmanship parade on April 16, 2024. Credit: NASA/Helen Arase Vargas 

The 44th annual Chili Cook-off at the Gilruth Center was enjoyed by more than 2,500 people, including Johnson employees and their friends and family. It was a chance for everyone to get together as a community to enjoy great chili, great company, and out-of-this-world fun.  

Over 50 teams, whose booths were adorned in decorations, competed for the title of best chili. The event featured a wide array of chili options, whether spicy or mild, offering something for every palate.  

Forty-eight teams competed in the cornhole tournament. Attendees also enjoyed all-you-can-eat chili and a variety of drinks from each booth. Then, the chili connoisseurs voted!  

A group of six people dressed in blue shirts and shorts or jeans pose in front of a booth outside.
The Chili Tu Madre team won first place at the 44th annual Chili Cook-off on April 20, 2024. Credit: NASA/Helen Arase Vargas 

***

The 2024 chili cook-off winners are: 

1st place – Chili Tu Madre  

2nd place – Run Runners 

3rd place – Chester’s Finest  

4th place – Wildcat Chili 

5th place – Columbia Cartel  

6th place – Tramp Chili 

 

People’s Choice showmanship parade float:  

Rainbow Rocket  

 

Bill Preston Memorial showmanship: 

1st place – ARESistable  

2nd place – Rainbow Rocket 

3rd place – Bare Bones  

 

Rookie Cooking Team award:  

Gas Generator  

 

People’s Choice award: 

ARESistable  

 

Cornhole tournament: 

1st place – Shiner Tossers 

2nd place – Buffa-Low Orbit  

3rd place – Gas Generator 

 

A person sitting at a booth outside with two people on her left signing a banner. 
Dominique Crespo and Tyler Hines, interns at the Johnson Space Center, manage a banner-signing booth at the chili cook-off for NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission. Credit: NASA/Helen Arase Vargas/Sumer Loggins 

Participants of the chili cook-off also had the chance to sign NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test banner for Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore’s sendoff celebration. The banner and posters were displayed in front of Ellington Field as the crew departed for Kennedy Space Center on April 25 for their launch to the International Space Station planned for May 6.

***

Johnson’s chili cook-off tradition began in 1979 under the Flight Operations Directorate.The event was named in honor of Gene Ross, a passionate supporter of America’s space program. Decades later, the event remains largely unchanged, continuing to foster camaraderie among Johnson employees and their families to celebrate a year's worth of dedication and hard work.

As another successful chili cook-off concludes, the question remains: Do you have what it takes to claim the title next year? Gather your ingredients and bring your best chili game to next year’s competition for more fun and flavorful challenges!

Learn more about the annual chili cook-off celebrations here.

Enjoy photos from the parade and event below.

A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
A group of people gather outside for a chili cook-off.
Previous Article
Next Article