If you haven’t entered the cook-off in the past and are a little nervous about entering, don’t be! This cook-off is really about bringing people together in a fun manner through friendly competition. You must register in advance and be prepared to cook at least 5 gallons of your People’ Choice chili; other than that, we work hard to make sure you understand and meet all the requirements to have a fair contest.
Registration:
$25 (per chili entry category paid to the Star Chamber) + ICS Membership Fee (starts at $10 paid to ICS)
To register:
- Click the Register My Team button on this page and complete the form; AND
- Get your ICS membership by registering at www.chilicookoff.com/cookoffs. Scroll to the “Star Chamber Chili Cook-Off” and click Register. Select “Join Now” under the New Member section and complete the form. Select “1-Cook Pass” for $10 to register for membership to this event only. You can select one of the other membership levels if you plan to enter other ICS cook-offs.
**Attention Sponsors – you must register as described above but the Chamber registration fee will be waived.
You must enter the People’s Choice category. This chili category is served to the public who votes to determine the winner.
Entering the Traditional Red and/or Homestyle categories is optional but you are encouraged to enter at least one of these categories. Categories must have at least 7 entries to meet the ICS sanctioned minimum contestant requirement.
Read on below for more details about each category, including how much chili you must prepare per each category, and visit the Chili Team section on the FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions.
See www.chilicookoff.com for more information about ICS, rules and membership.
Chili Categories
ICS Traditional Red is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with red chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed. Preference is not given to either cut meat, ground meat, shredded meat or cubed meat. ICS Membership required to participate, variety of membership levels available including $10 for one cook-off within one year from sign-up. Visit https://www.chilicookoff.com/ for ICS membership. Winners are determined by official judges.
ICS Homestyle is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Homestyle chili may be any color. Beans are required and should be clearly visible in cup. Preference is not given to either cut, ground, shredded or cubed meat. ICS membership required to participate. Visit https://www.chilicookoff.com/ for ICS membership. Winners are determined by official judges
People’s Choice All teams must enter this category and prepare a minimum of (5) gallons. Any type of chili may be served but beans must be included.ICS membership required to participate. Visit https://www.chilicookoff.com/ for ICS membership. Winners are determined by the public.
Judging and Awards
ICS Traditional Red will be judged by official community members following ICS judging rules. First, second, and third highest scoring chili will receive awards.
ICS Homestyle will be judged by official community members following ICS judging rules. First, second, and third highest scoring chili will receive awards.
People’s Choice will be judged by the public tasters who vote for their favorite team/s using People’s Choice tickets. Teams that receive the first, second, and third highest number of tickets will receive awards.
Best Decorated Booth will be judged by event organizers. One team will receive this award.
Most Spirited Team will be judged by event organizers. One team will receive this award.
Most Unique Theme will be judged by event organizers. One team will receive this award.
Cook-Off Preparation
- Each team must submit their registration team in advance. You will not be be allowed to register the morning of the event.
- Each team must have someone present at the mandatory pre-team meeting. The team captain will receive information once the date is determined.
- Each team must provide their own cooking apparatus, utensils, propane, ingredients, serving station, wash station, canopy, and table for serving. Only propane type stoves are allowed. No electricity will be available and generators are NOT allowed.
Food Preparation
- Meat may be pre-cut or ground, but MAY NOT be pre-cooked, treated, seasoned or marinated in any manner. Preference is not given to either cut meat, ground meat, shredded meat or cubed meat.
- No ingredient may be pre-cooked in any way prior to the commencement of the official cooking time. The only exceptions are canned vegetables, sauces, pepper sauces, liquids, seasoning pastes and meat substitutes.
- Grinding and/or mixing of dry spices is allowed prior to the event. All other ingredients must be prepared, added, and/or chopped on-site during the preparation period. The preparation period begins when cooks arrive on-site for competitions. Only prepping allowed at this time – NO COOKING OF CHILI.
- Garnishes are not allowed. Rule of thumb- if an ingredient found on the top layer of an entry bowl cannot also be found mixed throughout the entire bowl, it is a garnish and is not permitted.
- All ingredients must be sourced to a licensed food manufacturer, wholesale supplier or retail store. Purchase receipts are recommended and may be required at some cook-offs. All ingredients are subject to inspection at anytime, by ICS representatives or judge officials.
- All food – whether stored, resting or cooking – must always be maintained at food-safe temperatures. Food temperatures are subject to inspection at any time by ICS representatives or judge officials.
- All food handling, preparation and serving must comply with all local and state guidelines, policies and rules.
- Failure to abide by any of the above, in the unilateral and unfettered opinion of the Chief Judge, will result in immediate disqualification from the cook-off.