Prepare and cook your favorite chili recipe on-site for a chance to win the 2025 title!
This cook-off is really about bringing people together in a fun manner through friendly competition. Sure, you must register in advance and be prepared to cook on-site; but all the information you need is here to make it easy for you to meet all the requirements.
Thinking about entering but not sure what you have to do? Don’t worry, this page has all the information you need to enter!
Registration Deadline: 09/24/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is this competition going to cost me?
The total registration fee is $35 with $25 going to the Star Chamber and $10 to the International Chili Society. You will also need to supply everything needed to cook at least 7 gallons on-site under a canopy you provide (with decorations highly encouraged!) to serve the public. We will provide all the tasting supplies needed to serve the public and supplies needed for judging.
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.
What is ICS and why is it important?
ICS stands for the International Chili Society. This is the group we have partnered with to make our cook-off a sanctioned event. By sanctioning this cook-off we provide Idaho ‘Chiliheads’ the opportunity to compete without having to go out of state for a chance to qualify for the ‘world’s biggest chili competition‘. As far as we know, our cook-off is the only ICS sanctioned event in Idaho. Our rules are the same as ICS, you can get their version here.
You have to register with ICS and enter the cook-off on their site. We know it’s a pain but it’s part of the deal to be a sanctioned event. 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.
I am going to enter the competition but I want to wait to register. Why should I register sooner than later?
Competitors will pick their booth location in the order in which registration is received. Want a corner or spot close to the beer garden? You better register early so you have a choices. You also help us out when registering early so we can do our best with planning and make sure we have enough supplies for everyone. You may even see your team name on this website and shoutouts on social media to get the public excited and eager to come taste and vote for your chili.
Do I really have to cook 7 gallons of chili?
Yes! And if you don’t, you will be disqualified from the competition. Yeah, we know, that sounds harsh and we don’t like having to be strict on this…but we have to have a lot of chili to serve the public or the event won’t make it. The 7-gallons People’s Choice chili is what is served to the public and how the People’s Choice winners are determined. Last year, a number of competitors did not make the minimum amount so the public was super bummed they couldn’t taste more chili. We know 7 gallons is a lot of chili to make, but there will be over a thousand people to serve! And remember, you don’t have to fill up every tasting cup. Have them come back to your booth for another taste so you can interact with them and get another chance to get their voting ticket!
Check out our FAQ for more commonly asked questions.
What time can I arrive to start setting up?
6:30 am, no earlier! We will check you in and give you your booth location when you arrive. If you need some caffeine to help you get going, a coffee cart will be ready to serve you starting at 7:30.
Chili Categories
We have 5 categories you can enter – enter just the required People’s Choice category or increase your odds of winning by entering any number of the other categories. With the exception of People’s Choice, you only have to make 32 ounces for the official judges who score each entry blindly. Heck, you could enter all the categories if you want with some tweeks to each batch to meet the rules of the specific category. 7 entries are required in each category in order for the winner of that category to be eligible for the ICS world championship, so we may have to make some adjustments at the mandatory pre-team meeting if there’s not enough entries.
People’s Choice is the chili served to the public. You must prepare a minimum of seven (7) gallons and will be disqualified from the competition if this requirement is not met. Any type of chili may be served but beans must be included. Winners are determined by the public. Garnishes are allowed.
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. You must prepare a minimum of (32) ounces for the official judges. This recipe cannot be the same as your People’s Choice recipe because it does not contain beans. Winners are determined by official judges. Garnishes are not allowed.
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. Bush’s Beans are required and should be clearly visible in cup. Preference is not given to either cut, ground, shredded or cubed meat. You must prepare a minimum of (32) ounces for the official judges. This recipe can be the same as your People’s Choice recipe because it includes beans but it must include Bush’s Beans. Winners are determined by official judges. Garnishes are not allowed.
ICS Chili Verde is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with green 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. This recipe cannot be the same as your People’s Choice recipe because it does not contain beans. Winners are determined by official judges. Garnishes are not allowed.
ICS Veggie is any kind of vegetables or combination of vegetables, meatless”meat”, cooked with chili
peppers, various spices and other ingredients. The use of meat and/or any meat by-product is not allowed. It
can be any color and consistency should be like chili, not soup like. Beans are allowed. Garnishes are not allowed.
Awards
- 1st place winners receive $400
- 2nd Place winners receive $200
- 3rd Place winners receive $100
People’s Choice will be judged by the public tasters who vote for their favorite recipe using their People’s Choice tickets they received with their tasting wristband. Those that receive the first, second, and third highest number of tickets will receive 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.
ICS Chili Verde will be judged by official community members following ICS judging rules. First, second, and third highest scoring chili will receive awards.
ICS Vegetarian will be judged by official community members following ICS judging rules. First, second, and third highest scoring chili 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.
Mandatory Pre-Team Meeting Information
At least one person in your group must attend this meeting.
Thursday, October 2, 2025
6:00 pm
Star Riverhouse (960 S. Main St., Star)
We will go over rules, requirements, and food safety topics.
You will be choosing your booth space in the order you registered.
Cook-Off Preparation
- You must preregister by the deadline. You will not be allowed to register the morning of the event.
- You must attend the mandatory pre-team meeting. You will receive additional information about this meeting as the date approaches. Contact us if you have not received additional information two days prior to the meeting. At least one person on your team must attend.
- You must bring your own canopy, cooking apparatus with propane, cooking tools, ingredients, ice, portable washing station, serving table, decorations, and whatever else you need to cook on-site. Only propane type stoves are allowed. electricity will not be available and generators are NOT allowed.
- The Chamber will provide each booth plenty of tasting supplies (tasting cups, spoons, napkins) needed to serve the public at the event.
- The Chamber will provide each booth with a People’s Choice ticket collection box. The public will receive (3) tickets with their tasting wristband to vote for their favorite chili. The boxes will be collected around 3:30 and tickets will be counted. The box with the most tickets will win the People’s Choice category.
Food Preparation
Check out the ICS rules for all the nitty gritty rules but basically plan on this:
- 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 for any category except People’s Choice. 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.
Ready to Register?
- Click the Chamber Register button below. This is how we get your contact information and categories you want to enter.
- Click the ICS Registration button below. Register with ICS, get a 1-Day Cook Pass, and enter the Star Chamber Chili Cook-Off.
- Click the Pay Chamber Fee button below. This $25 fee is the Star Chamber entry fee. DON’T FORGET! You must enter the People’s Choice category or will be disqualified.
Attention Sponsors – you must complete the Chamber Registration and ICS Registration below, you do not need to pay the Chamber Registration Fee.
Ready to enter? Click the buttons below!