Our 2011 Chili Cook‑Off will be held on Sunday, October 23, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in The Wine Courtyard at the Orange County Fair & Event Center. This is your last chance to sign up as a cook or taster.
In addition to all the great diverse chilies, our Cooks Caucus will be on hand cooking up barbecue picnic fare with all the accompaniments. We will have a wide variety of wines and beer to cool your tongue after tasting the chilies. Back by popular demand, the band “Rock-Its” and their singing group, “The Hi-Lites” will be on hand providing some good old rock and roll music for listening and dancing. Everyone raved last year about how great this group sounds. If you haven’t heard them, you are in for a surprise!
Chili Award categories are as follows...
Best Chili Overall – 1st Place
Best Chili Overall – 2nd Place
Best Chili Overall – 3rd Place
Hottest Chili
Mildest Chili
Most Unusual Chili
Best Chili With Wine
Best Presentation
People's Choice
Best First‑Time Chili Cook
All chili entrants will be awarded a bottle of wine for your efforts. Prize-winning chili chefs will be awarded a famous Engraved Chili Ladle denoting your winning category.
Once again, we will allow the chili chefs to determine in what category they would like their chili judged. On the sign-up sheet, check if you would like your chili to be judged in the hottest, mildest, or most unusual category. If you have selected wine as an ingredient, please indicate the “Chili With Wine” only if you wish your chili to be judged in that category. I have already received confirmations from seven culinary students from Orange Coast College to act as our professional Judging Panel. Should be a fun event for them as well!
Please indicate the name of your chili on the entry form. Allow enough time to set up your presentation display and prepare your chili for judging. Set-up time will be available from 11:00 a.m. Remember, your presentation and chili must be ready by 12:30 p.m. for chili‑judging. At approximately 1:00 p.m., we will open for general chili tasting.
Admission price is $25 for members and $30 for guests who want to “taste” only. Chili Team contestants are admitted free. I need your sign-up by Wednesday, October 12.
As we go to print, it looks like I have enough volunteers for the event, however, I may need one or two more to pour wine during the event. I’m sure many of you present at the event will lend a hand if necessary.
~ Chili Cook-off Rules ~
1. Each team will consist of no more than two cooks, one of which must be a member of the OCWS.
2. Each Chili Team will have four linear feet of display area.
3. Each entry must provide at least five quarts of chili.
4. Chili must be ready for judging by 12:30 p.m.
5. The name of your chili and your category selection must be on the entry form.
6. If wine is used as an ingredient, please state the varietal.
7. Provide a way to keep the chili hot (camp stove, crock pot, etc.)
8. Please let us know if you'll need electricity. Bring your own extension cord!
9. Judging will start at 12:30 p.m., open tasting to follow at 1:00 p.m.
10. Bring your own ladle or spoon for serving.
11. Each chili will be eligible for a judge's award in only one category.
12. Sign-up by October 12.
John Goodnight
The Head Jalapeño