Well, in Terlingua, it hasn't been long enough.

The story, soon to become West Texas legend, has been making its way around the nation for the last two weeks. Someone who never heated a single bean took first prize in the most prestigious chili cook-off in the country.

The tale goes like this: Don Eastep arrived from Illinois to attend the 37th annual Original Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert-Wick Fowler Memorial Championship Chili Cook-off, held the first weekend of November. Don's brother Larry had originally entered the competition, but was unable to make it, so Don went in his place.

Not having a recipe of his own, Don Eastep obtained his brother's judging cup and filled it the only way he could. He sampled spoonfuls from several of the more than 80 entries at the contest ... and stirred.

Eastep insists it was just a gag and never imagined taking any awards. As he said to the Austin American-Statesman, "How could you possibly win with a conglomeration of chilis?"

But win he did. He was soon discovered, though, when at least one legitimate cook recognized him from earlier in the day and realized the "champion" had never been stewing any chili. Confronted with the discovery, Eastep relinquished his trophy, which was promptly handed to the runner-up.

Event organizer Kathleen Tolbert Ryan, daughter of the man for whom the cook-off is named, says Eastep has just made a fool of himself. But others are asking who's more the fool — the fraud or those who awarded him the grand prize?