International Connoisseurs of Green and Red Chile facts for kids
The International Connoisseurs of Green and Red Chile (ICGRC) was an American group that loved and promoted chili peppers. It started in Mesilla, New Mexico in 1973. The group grew to have chapters all over the United States and in 17 other countries. ICGRC shared information on how to grow chili peppers and how to use them in recipes. The organization was later taken over by the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1989.
About the Chile Lovers
The ICGRC published a magazine every three months called Chile Connoisseur News. The group had many local chapters, which they called "pods." Each pod was led by someone called a "Pod Father." The main leader of the whole organization was known as the "Queso Grande," which means "Big Cheese."
The chapters often had funny names. Members who were very involved received awards and were called "Pod Fellows" or "Fellows of the Pod." Members also shared their favorite chili pepper recipes, seeds, and tips on how to grow more plants. There were four levels of membership, from the "Order of the Complete Coward" for those who liked mild peppers, all the way up to the "Order of the Steel Stomach" for those who loved super spicy ones!
History of the Group
The ICGRC began in Mesilla, New Mexico, in 1973. Twenty-five people met at a place called La Posta to start the group. The organization was connected to New Mexico State University (NMSU). Its first main office was in Mesilla.
NMSU had many former students asking for "chile care packages." These were boxes of chili peppers and spicy foods. The people who started ICGRC thought it would be a great idea to help others who missed spicy food. They wanted to share information about chili peppers.
By 1976, the ICGRC had several chapters, or "pods." These included groups in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Denver, El Paso, Texas, Logan, Utah, and Washington, D.C. By that year, the group had about 3,000 members. The Phoenix, Arizona chapter started in 1978. By 1980, there were chapters in seventeen different countries, and a group in Taos, New Mexico also started.
In 1977, the ICGRC received the El Conquistador Award. This award came from the New Mexico chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. In 1989, the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau took over the organization.
Famous Members
Many well-known people were part of the ICGRC. These members included:
- Carl Albert (a politician who served in the U.S. Congress)
- Vikki Carr (a famous singer)
- Jose Feliciano (a well-known singer and guitarist)
- Bob Hope (a very popular comedian and actor)
- Hubert Humphrey (a politician who was Vice President of the U.S.)
- Ronald Reagan (a famous actor who later became President of the U.S.)
- Lawrence Welk (a popular bandleader and TV host)
