STRAWBERRY CHILI COOK-OFF RULES

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1. Chili is defined as any kind of meat or combination of meats, cooked with chili peppers, spices and other ingredients, with the exception of pasta, which is strictly forbidden.  Beans may be used in competition chili.  Competition chili may include any type of meat (please specify).  Toppings of cheese, onion, cilantro, or others may be added for presentation.   

2. The competition is free to enter.  Contestants may enter more than one batch of chili.  Clever chili names are encouraged.  As are costumes, for the bold.  

3. All ingredients must be pre-cooked and prepared prior to the event.  The chili is to be brought "ready-to-eat."

4. Regular commercial chili powder is permissible, but complete commercial chili mixes are not permitted.  Thickeners such as corn meal, flour etc., are permissible.

5. All cooking is to be done in a sanitary manner.  Suspicion of failure to comply will lead to disqualification.

6. Each individual is responsible for cooking no less than three quarts of chili and turning in one pint of chili for judging.  Judging bowls will be supplied.

7. Each chili entered will be assigned a number by the judging committee, and each contestant is responsible for turning in his or her chili with that number by the specified time..

8. Judges will vote for the chili they like best based on the following major considerations: (a) Presentation and Color: The chili should look appetizing; (b) Aroma: The chili should smell good (this also indicates what is in store when tasted); (c) Consistency: The chili must have a good ratio between sauce and meat (it should not be dry, watery, grainy, lumpy, or greasy); (d) Taste: Taste, above all else is the most important factor (the taste should consist of the combination of the meat, spices, etc. with no particular ingredient being too dominant).

9. Each participant's chili will be distributed to the event guests, but only after an individual has submitted their chili to the judges.  Strawberry Store will provide bowls, spoons and napkins for distributing the chili to the event guests. 

10. The Best Chili Award will be determined by the Judging Committee.  The People's Choice Award is determined by the public.  The public will be entitled to taste each participant's chili.  It is up to each participant to entice the event guests to try their chili and cast their vote.  First Prize: $25.00, IG and Facebook announcement at the event, awards, other public accolades and bragging rights.  People's Choice Award: SGS Gift Certificate, a People's Choice Certificate, public announcement at the event,  other public accolades and bragging rights.  Winning individuals  will be asked at the event to give a brief description of their chili recipe (secret ingredients should remain secret though, of course).

11. All contestants must provide their own heating apparatus, such as a hot plate, crockpot, camping stove or canned fuel (e.g., Sterno). Strawberry Store will provide the staging area and extension cords.

12. The competition is open to men and women of any age, restaurants.  Professional chefs as well as amateurs are allowed and encouraged to compete.   Strawberry Store reserves the right to refuse participation in the competition to any individual at the discretion of the event committee chairperson.  All individuals must provide a valid email address when registering for the competition.  Communication to the registered email address shall constitute notice delivered regarding competition matters.