How It All Started

The first Houston Bar Association Auxiliary Chili and Pie Cookoff was held in January 2015 on the back patio at Karbach Brewery. Before the HBAA Chili and Pie Cookoff, the HBAA held the ever so popular and successful Cooking Classes. These classes were held in the homes of various Auxiliary members where, with local noted chefs, recipes and techniques were shared.

 The purpose of the Cooking Classes was not only to bring members from both the Houston Bar Association and the HBAA together but also to fund the HBAA Charitable Fund Scholarship Program. The HBAA Charitable Fund Scholarship Program, manifested by Phyllis Dent in 2004, annually awards a $5000 Scholarship to a student who best exemplifies academic excellence, financial need, and community involvement. Since 2007 the Auxiliary has been fortunate to raise funds necessary to present three (3) $5000.00 Scholarships to 2L Students: one from each of the three (3) local Houston Law Schools.

 In 2014, the HBAA board suspended its by-laws for a year and the Cooking Classes were retired at that time. The then-HBAA President, Hazel Donato, wanted a fun and unique event for all of Houston’s legal community while raising funds for the Scholarship Program and considered hosting a BBQ Cookoff in place of the Cooking Classes. After much thought and planning, the logistics of a Chili and Pie Cookoff seemed more feasible. She reached out to new member Dominique Varner (HBAA President from 2020-2022), and Dominique agreed to chair the event. Dominique reached out to her colleague, Gregory Griffin, a now HBAA Past President, and other Auxiliary members and HBA members to help with the initial planning of the event. The first year’s cooking teams were The Mean Mama Chili Team, Chili Cookin’ Counselors, Burleson LLP, Team Sundin, Hughes Watter Askanase, Exxon Mobil Team 1 and Exxon Mobil Team 2, South Texas College of Law Alumni Team, Former Scholarship Recipient Team, Donato Brown Pool, The HBAA Chili Queens, and The Lonestars. There were 16 Pie Contest Participants. Additionally, the Cookoff Committee organized a Silent Auction. The Chili and the Pie winners were and have since been judged by sitting Harris County Judges from various courts. To add to the fun, Best Decorated “Booth” is chosen by the current sitting HBA President.

 Since the first year, the event has grown due to the commitment from the Auxiliary members, Houston Bar Association, Houston Bar Foundation, and Houston Young Lawyers Association. For the past 4 years, HYLA has organized the judges, promoted the event through their members, and assisted in the operations of the day of the event.

 Although the space was perfect for the first annual HBAA Chili and Pie Cookoff, the Second Cookoff was moved to the Pavilion at The Bayou City Event Center and each following year the Cookoff has grown in numbers attending and has averaged 17 Contestant Teams 2018 to 2023.  The 2024 Cookoff has been moved to St. Jerome Catholic Church, 8825 Kempwood, Houston Texas.

 The 9th Annual Cookoff and Pie Contest is scheduled for January 27, 2024; 5–9 pm. For more information and to support the Charitable Fund Scholarship Program, please visit the HBA Auxiliary website – HBA-aux.org. And for more information about and the application for the Scholarship click here.