Chili Contest

Chili Contest

Anyone may enter the Chili Contest, and Contestants are not required to be Ashmore residents. There is no cost to enter, and no pre-registration is required. Simply show up with your entry at the designated time. A panel of 3 neutral judges will taste and rate each entry anonymously, and their scores will be tallied to determine the winners. The Harvest Festival will reward a ribbon and cash prizes to the top three winners.

1. $100 for First Place
2. $50 for Second Place
3. $25 for Third Place

PLEASE NOTE: This is a smalltown contest which is intended for fun and entertainment. A panel of 3 judges will be assembled at the Planning Committee's discretion. They are chosen for their overt opinions and for not being residents of Ashmore (and therefore, as unbiased as possible). They are not professionals and may or may not have any experience cooking or judging. They do, however, have a lot of experience eating, and they know what they like. The final results as they are announced at the end of the contest will be final. Disrespect and/or uncivilized conduct will not be tolerated. 

A printable copy of the rules may be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Questions may be directed to Jackie at 349-8332 during regular business hours.

Rules:

Each Chili Contestant must read, review, and agree in writing to follow all the following rules and safety rules and regulations:

INGREDIENTS:

1. All types of chili are allowed (standard chili, white chili, vegetarian chili, Texas chili, Cincinnati chili, etc.). Definition: a stew made with chili peppers, cumin, and [meat OR beans OR both]. All other seasonings, meats, vegetables & toppings are allowable at the contestant’s discretion.
2. Spice heat will be considered during judging, but hotter is not necessarily more desirable.

PREPARATION:

3. Chili must be cooked in advance, but within 24 hours, and brought “hot and ready to eat.”
4. Chili must be cooked to a minimum temperature of 165 degrees. If stored overnight, it must be stored at 40 degrees or lower.
5. Contestants must agree to maintain a clean and sanitary preparation and cooking space when preparing all foods used in this chili cook. Contestants may be held liable if their known negligence causes sickness for the judges.

CONTEST ENTRY:

1. Contestants must bring their entry to the pavilion between 11:30-11:50am. (Each contestant must sign the registration and waiver forms and prepare their servings before judging begins.)
2. Each Contestant must bring about 3 cups of their chili entry. Contestants will be instructed upon arrival about how to divide/prepare their entry. Contestants will be allowed to prepare the judges’ samples, so presentation and toppings are within the contestants’ control.
3. Each Contestant must register and sign waivers prior to submitting samples to the judges.
4. Only judges and contestants are allowed to consume the chili in accordance with Health Department Regulations. The Contestant will be required to eat a sampling of their own entry.
5. Judging will begin at Noon.
6. Entries will be judged by a panel of 3 independent judges, none of whom live in Ashmore. Judges will not know who submitted each chili sample, and contestants will not see the judges notes and scores. Only final scores will be revealed. Judges will consider the following categories:
   1. Appearance (0-5 pts)
   2. Aroma (0-5 pts)
   3. Flavor (0-5 pts)
   4. Heat Balance (0-5 pts)
   5. Texture / Mouthfeel (0-5 pts)
   6. Discretionary Bonus Point (0-1 pt) IF a judge believes that an entry has a distinguishing higher quality than the rest, then he/she is allowed to give one bonus point to one entry.
7. Contestants must be 18 years of age or authorized by a parent/guardian.