Crutchfield to compete in big cooking contest





Tina and Rocky Crutchfield of Aransas Pass prepare chili last year at the Arizona State Chili Championships, where they took first place in the people’s choice category . They will compete in the World Food Championships from Nov. 9 to 15 in Orange Beach, Alabama. Tina works in Port Aransas as a municipal court clerk.

Tina and Rocky Crutchfield of Aransas Pass prepare chili last year at the Arizona State Chili Championships, where they took first place in the people’s choice category . They will compete in the World Food Championships from Nov. 9 to 15 in Orange Beach, Alabama. Tina works in Port Aransas as a municipal court clerk.

Tina Crutchfield thinks she can make a serving of chili that’s worth thousands of dollars.

That’s the kind of purse she could win if she prevails at a cooking contest that’s coming up.

Tina, an Aransas Pass resident who works in Port Aransas as a municipal court clerk, will compete in the World Food Championships from Nov. 9 to 15 in Orange Beach, Alabama.

She is one of at least three competitors who have Port Aransas ties. Also competing is Gail Huesmann, executive chef at the Black Marlin Bar and Grill at Palmilla Beach Resort and Golf Club in Port Aransas. She lives on North Padre Island. She will be assisted by Chris Thomas as her sous chef. A Corpus Christi resident, he is general manager at Palmilla Beach Resort and Golf Club. (See Nov. 3 South Jetty.)

Tina and her husband, Rocky, will work together as a cooking team at the contest. Their team is one of 430 that will be involved.

They won the chance to compete at the World Food Championships by making the top 10 at last year’s contest.

They now will have a shot at winning $100,000 for the best dish, overall. Prizes of $10,000 is awarded in each of nine categories: barbecue, chili, dessert, bacon, sandwich, seafood, burger, steak and recipe.

“Winning my category would be an incredible feat,” Tina said. “But winning the whole tournament with the best dish? That would be a dream come true!”

The couple has been competing in cooking contests since 2006, with many first-place wins.

Results of the contest will be posted at www.worldfoodchampionships.com.

The couple might be featured on TV. The contest will be filmed, but no specific network has been announced for a possible airing. It has been on A&E and the Discovery Network in the past.


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