Calling all Chili FANS! 

Who- Chefs, Cooks, self proclaimed Chili GODS, community members

What- A Chili Cookoff with over a dozen local chefs, cooks, and maybe even a few from out of the area!

See entry rules and regulations below.

Where- 6626 Skyway, Paradise CA 95969 Please select this link to get directions through Google Maps

When- Saturday, November 9th from Noon to 6pm

Why- The 2021 Chili Cookoff was a huge success, so why not do it again - bigger! With the help of a few chili cookoff pros, PRPD staff expect the 2024 Chili Cookoff to be bigger, tastier, and even more fun. A great chance to rate your favorite chili, the Fan Favorite award will be presented alongside the Judge's pick for the best two chili's of the competition. There will also be an award for the best decorated/themed chili booth! Think you have what it takes to bring home the Big Bean Belt?!

How- Read the instructions below

Each team receives:

• Booth space
• Chance to Win the Belt and Trophies

Public Tasting

• Spectators may purchase a tasting kit ($5) containing bowl, spoon, and a People's Choice Ballot.
• Tasting Kits will be available to purchase at 12:00 noon. Public tasting begins at 1:00 pm.
• A spectator/taster must present their bowl to recieve a taste of chili. 2 oz tastes are the standard, any more than a single taste is up to the discretion of the contestant.

Cook-Off Schedule

• 7:00 am-9:00 am - Check in and set up cooking areas. If you show up before 7:00 am, we will NOT let you set up your station early. All registered contestants will be assigned space prior to event date. 
• 9:00a m-10:00 am - Preparation period (No heat- 1 hour)
• 10:00 am-1:00 pm - Cooking period (3 hours)
• 12:00 pm-1:00 pm - Judging times and cups delivered to teams
• 1:00 pm - Public tasting begins
• 1:30pm - Judging begins - teams deliver chili to Judging Area at scheduled times
• 3:00 pm - Event staff collect People's Choice box 
• 3:30 pm - Winners announced on stage

Competition/Cooking Rules

Chili Definitions:

• Red Chili is defined as a spicy stew containing any combination of spices and ingredients, cooked with MEAT and having a red hue (may have beans and/or pasta.)
• Red Vegetarian Chili is defined as a spicy stew containing any combination of spices and ingredients -EXCEPT meat- cooked to a red hue (may have beans and/or pasta.)
• International Chili Society cook-off rules DO NOT apply.

Minimum Chili Amounts:

• Teams are required to cook a minimum of three (3) gallons.
• Teams may prepare as many gallons as they wish.
  The more chili you make, the better your chance to win!

Cooking Times:

• There will be a one-hour preparation period and a three-hour cooking period.
  See above schedule for times.

Ingredients:

• No ingredients may be pre-treated in any way prior to the preparation period – the only exceptions are canned goods, grinding and/or mixing of spices, pre-soaked beans, and pre-cut or ground meat. All other ingredients shall be chopped or prepared during the preparation period.
• NOTHING MAY BE PRE-COOKED. (This includes smoked meat.)

Contestants Must Supply:

• All their ingredients and utensils 
• A table(s) for use in chili preparation
• Contestants are allowed (but not required) to give away bread, crackers, corn chips, and/or other toppings to spectators. 
• For everyone's safety, NO GLASS CONTAINERS are permitted
• Coleman-type stove (non-liquid fuel ONLY). Please pre-test all stove gas hose lines before the event. Using soapy water to locate leaks in the hose or fittings is recommended. Leaking propane systems cannot be used for cooking.
• If you intend to use a table-top butane stove, you must supply a non-flammable tile-type surface to place on top of the table.
• Propane tanks must be no bigger than 5 gallons/20lbs (typical BBQ size) and must be secured. You may have one extra tank for back up.
• There is NO ELECTRICITY available. Gasoline is prohibited.
• A 10x10 covering/canopy if desired
• Decorations for your booth and cooking area are encouraged. An award for Best Theme will be given based on booth theme and décor.
• Decorations may NOT be attached to PRPD building walls or other structures. No helium cylinders allowed.
• All team members, decorations, and cooking assistants must be INSIDE the designated booth space.

Judging

Best Chili

• Chili tastings are blind and are judged on a point basis for 1) flavor, 2) color, 3) consistency.
• A judging time and 8oz judging cup will be delivered to each team between 12:00 noon and 1pm.
• It will be the team's responsibility to fill the judging cup and deliver the chili to the judging area at the allotted judging time.

People's Choice

• The People's Choice award is determined by ballot. Ballots are included in each tasting kit and may be cast by the tasting public at each booth.
• Event staff will collect the ballots from the booths at 3:00 pm, all winners to be announced on stage at 3:30 pm

Best Theme

• The Best Theme award will be determined by our chili judges based on originality of costume and booth decorations.
• Chili judges will judge all booths between 12:30pm-1:30pm

Chili Cookoff Contestant Registration

For questions or clarifications, please contact samick@paradiseprpd.com or call us at (530) 872-6393

See you on November 9th!

Check out our Facebook Page for more information about this event as it draws closer.

Interested in volunteering? select this link to volunteer for this event. 

Would you like to help support PRPD and recreation on the Ridge?Visit https://www.paradiseprpd.com/support-paradise-recreation-park-district to donate or to sponsor an upcoming event.