[home | original terlingua international championship chili cook-off the tolbert's international chili cook off, frequently referred to as the tolbert's cook off, or behind the store, this is the original and grand daddy of all chili cook-offs - in the world! an outdoor festival where beer, sun, chili, and laughs flow freely. over eight musical performances over four nights. located near big bend national park, terlingua is the historic town that hosts the international chili cook off once a year. the first cook-off in 1967, was created and promoted by frank x.]