The first CASA contest was held in Ajijic on February 20, 1986. Since then, numerous wonderful dishes have been entered in the monthly competitions. Usually there are two categories, published in advance: a main dish entrée and a complementary side dish or dessert.

The Bing was instituted in 1987 by Charlotte MacNaara, CASA's first president, who is a founder of Vogue magazine. Her best friend was Bing Horn of the Bing Ice Cream company in Guadalajara. Bing wanted to do something special for Charlotte and CASA, so he paid for the trophies. The two friends then decided that "in honor of CASA and Bing Ice Cream" they would award a trophy to anyone who could win three first place spots during any calendar year. To date, many have achieved this—a few more than once.