Presented by Ratcliff Premium Meats*

PVTRA Chili Cookoff 2026

PVTRA Wagon Clubs go head-to-head with their best chili and stew recipes. Bring your appetite, cheer for your favorite club, and support the PVAMU Agriculture Exhibiting Team.

🔥 40 days until the cookoff - Mark your calendar!

Date

Monday, February 23, 2026

Location

PVTRA Trail Ride Camp • Prairie View, TX

Bowl Price

$5 per bowl · cash only

*Sponsorship pending final Ratcliff Premium Meats approval.

Ratcliff Premium Meats is providing the featured proteins for each Wagon Club team.

2025 Champions

🏆 1st: 7W Wagon Club

📸 View highlights from previous years below

Admission

Free entry

$5 tasting bowls benefit PVAMU's Agriculture Exhibiting Team.

Beneficiary

PVAMU Ag Exhibiting Team

Proceeds fund their Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo travel.

Teams

PVTRA Wagon Clubs

Clubs receive Ratcliff proteins + John Henry spices.

Payment

Cash preferred

Card/mobile options under review; bring small bills for speed.

Tentative Schedule

Subject to final camp schedule

Welcome & Introductions
Opening remarks, sponsor recognition, and special guest introductions.
PVAMU Judge Roll Call
Introduce the judging panel and scoring metric.
Team Introductions
Introduce each cook team and the Wagon Club represented.
Tasting Window
Judges sample first, then community tasting + $5 bowls.
Awards & Photos
Announce winners, capture sponsor-approved photos, and thank partners.

Judging & Awards

PVAMU officials serve as the judging panel. PVTRA Media will capture photos with winners, awards, and sponsor logos.

Taste
Creativity / presentation

Trophies and cash prizes presented by Ratcliff Premium Meats will be awarded immediately following tastings.

Contest Rules

PVTRA Wagon Clubs only
Each registered Wagon Club may field one chili or stew entry.
Ratcliff protein required
Teams must use the Ratcliff Premium Meats product provided onsite.
Onsite prep
Chili and stew must be prepared from scratch during the official cooking window.
Bring your equipment
Teams supply burners, pots, and utensils; limited power/water available.
Traditional ingredients
Feel free to be creative, but stay within chili or stew profiles. John Henry of Houston will supply spices.
Food-safety focus
Maintain safe temps, use gloves, and keep hand-wash stations stocked.
PVAMU judging
Judges score entries, then we open tasting to the community.
Awards presented
Winners receive sponsor-presented trophies and cash prizes during the ceremony.

🏆 Past Champions

🥇 2025 First Place

7W Wagon Club

🥈 2025 Second Place

190 Wagon Club

🥉 2025 Third Place

PrimeTime Wagon Club

Volunteer with PVTRA

Help us deliver an unforgettable Chili Cookoff experience. Select your preferred roles and we will follow up with next steps.

Full Name *

Wagon Club

Email *

Phone

Preferred Roles

Event Setup Assist with tent layout, signage, and infrastructure.

Registration / Check-in Welcome guests, distribute tasting bands, and answer logistics questions.

Judging Support Coordinate tasting trays for PVAMU judges and steward score sheets.

Point-of-Sale / Cashier Manage $5 bowl sales and reconcile cash drops.

Media & Photography Capture moments for PVTRA archives and sponsor recaps.

Logistics Runner Deliver supplies, water, and ice between teams and HQ.

Food Safety / Sanitation Monitor hand-wash stations and assist with cleanup switchover.

Availability

Comments

I consent to PVTRA storing my information and contacting me about volunteer opportunities. View our privacy policy.

Need more info?

Send us a note and our events team will respond within two business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only PVTRA Wagon Clubs in good standing may enter the 2026 cookoff. Each club may register one chili or stew.

Once judges receive their samples, we open the serving line to guests. Bowls are $5 cash and every dollar supports PVAMU's HLSR travel.

Absolutely! The event is free to attend. Bring your family and friends to cheer for your favorite wagon club and enjoy $5 tasting bowls. Parking is available at the PVTRA Trail Ride Camp.

Yes! Use the volunteer form below to choose from logistics, cashier, judging support, or media roles. We need all kinds of help to make this event a success.