Hey Proof listeners, it's Kevin Pang, we're putting the finishing touches of season 12 of our show, which premieres Thursday, November 10th.

Until then, as we've done these last few weeks, we're digging into our archives and replaying some of our all-time favorite episodes of Proof.

If I had to pick one episode for a new Proof listener to check out, it's this one, first broadcast in May 2020.

This is the story of a major scandal in 2003 at a Texas chili cook-off.

The crime, a newcomer to the competition, had presented to judges a chili that consisted of everyone else's chili mixed together.

And what's more, this guy took first place.

And that's only the beginning of this crazy story.

So, on this week's episode of Proof, hosted by Founding Host Bridget Lancaster, it's Cheater Cheater, Chili Eater.

Chili cook-offs have been a part of Kathleen Tolbert Ryan's life forever.

Her dad, Frank Tolbert, founded what many consider to be the world series of chili cook-offs.

Now growing up, Kathleen was kind of like the princess of the chili kingdom.

And now she's the queen, running the event that her father started, which happens every year on the first weekend in November in a tiny town in the middle of the Texas desert called Terlingua.

Terlingua is a desolate place, an abandoned mining town.

But this one November weekend, it comes alive, with RVs and tents set up everywhere, live bands, and the smell of cumin and chili powder in the air.

Kathleen runs the competition now, and she's attended and judged close to 100 events like this in her lifetime.

But the cook-off that took place on November 1st, 2003 still stands out in her memory.

It was a very emotional day. It was very disturbing.

Now this particular chili cook-off is a big deal. Only the most talented chili heads are invited.

But that year, 2003, the man who turned in the winning cup was a mystery to many.

We crowned this person named Don Eastep. He was from Springfield, Illinois. No one knew him.

With mischievous blue eyes and an easy grin, 64-year-old Don Eastep was a newcomer in this world.

He strode up to the stage to collect his prize. He left the stage quickly, not sticking around for the customary photos and hugs, but the day was far from over.

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