Chili Cook-Off: A Study in Sub Cultures

(The Secret Ingredient)

Last weekend we traveled to the wilds of the Huntington Beach Elk's Lodge Chili Cook Off. Never let it be said that Nature has not provided a variety of life in this big world.  What follows is an account of our experience.

Being first-timers we had to figure out the conventions of this vibrant sub-culture by observation. Each contestant had their own booth with professionally printed banners, which signaled their approach to chili, ie. "Crawford's Crankin' Chili" or "The Travelin' Chiliheads." The banners proclaimed the cook-offs they had won and which category: Red, Green or People's Choice.  This seemed to be the way to establish dominance and influence future success, perhaps even to subliminally persuade the voters.  We watched them prepare their recipes with concentration, using specialized tools and methods, which had obviously evolved and improved over time. We were very interested in a particular spoon with a hole in the middle that was used to hand strangers a sample cup.

Each participant had a different approach to strangers.  Some seemed to see us as a nuisance (possibly a threat to their dominance?), and we were careful not to provoke them.  Others were non-threatening and welcomed us to their population.  One alpha Elk regaled us with previous accomplishments in an attempt to increase the membership of his herd, an offer we may take him up on.  We learned that the Elk's Lodge began as a survival mechanism for males to soothe their nerves with quantities of alcoholic beverages.  Over the years, it has evolved to include good works for members of the larger community.  Rarely in nature do we find mammal groups whose function is to benefit others.  Truly unusual behavior. In time we hope to see this in the larger population.

(By the way, I wasn't glaring at Anson in my photo, it was just really bright, and you all know about my usually large pupils.)