FAQ

No. are welcome to come enjoy the event and people but not eat chili.

Yes, you may bring water and non-alcoholic drinks inside the event area. We will have a variety of beer, cider, and wine available for purchase, you will not be allowed to bring your own alcohol.

The Star Lions will be selling hot dogs and there will be an ice cream truck selling sweet treats.

No, dogs are not allowed at the event. Please leave your four legged friends at home. Service animals are of course allowed.

Sure, but don’t arrive before 11:00 because we won’t be quite ready for you. Tasting doesn’t start until 12 but you can walk around and watch the cooks put their finishing touches on their recipes.

We will have some seating available but feel free to bring your own chair.

Nope, we are good on judges this year. We made need more judges next year so check back later!

Tickets will be available for purchase in advance in 2026.

No! All alcohol must stay in the designated event area.

Email info@starchilicookoff.com and include your name and email and we will send you a copy of your ticket.

No. We will not issue refunds. Chili tasting runs from noon until 3:30 pm (or until the pots run out). Because some teams do run out early, we always encourage guests to come right at the start of tasting to get the best variety.

No, you must prepare and cook your chili during the event.

You must make a minimum of 7 gallons for the People’s Choice category. For the all other chili categories, only 32 ounces are required for the official judges..

Yes! We will be giving out awards for the top three best decorated booths, most spirited team, and most unique theme.

You need to bring your own propane stove. Typically cooks bring a propane camp stove. BBQs, generators, etc are not allowed.

Your cooking and serving area must fit within a 12′ x 10′ area and include a 10’x10′ canopy. Contact us if you want to request a wider space.

We will give you the tasting cup and spoons for the public tasters, chili collection containers for ICS official judging (if entered), and a People’s Choice ticket collection box.

Tasters will purchase a wristband at the tasting ticket booth. Anyone requesting a tasting must show you their wristband, then you will give them a sample cup (provided by the Chamber) filled with your chili.

Tasters receive three voting tickets when they purchase their tasting wristband. You will receive a specially marked People’s Choice ticket collection box to display in your booth. Tasters will put their voting tickets in their favorite team or teams. They can put all tickets in one team box or in up to three different team boxes. The collection boxes will be collected at a specific time and all tickets will be counted. The top three teams who receive the most tickets will win People’s Choice 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place.

They are judged by official community judges who follow the ICS judging rules. For more information, visit www.chilicookoff.com and read the ICS official rules.

International Chili Society. First place ICS category winners qualify to compete in the ICS World Championship Chili Cook-Off. Click here for more information.

Yes, ICS requires you to get a membership in order to compete in this sanctioned event. Different membership levels are available from the 1-Cook (one cook-off) membership for $10 to the Annual Adult Membership (unlimited number of cook-offs for the year). To register with ICS, visit https://www.chilicookoff.com/cookoffs, find the ‘Star Chamber Chili Cook-Off’ and select ‘Register’. We will confirm you have registered with ICS at the pre-team meeting.

No.

Yes.

You will select your booth spot at the pre-team meeting in the order that registrations were received.

6:30 am. You can see the event schedule here for all the details on when to expect what.

Yes, see the Pie-Eating Contest page to register early.

Yes, you will need a parent or guardian to sign the required waiver at the event.

We don’t know since the pies are donated by Sea Salt Creamery and Bakery but it will be tasty for sure!

Each age group is limited to six contestants.