Use only the freshest ingredients in a chili cookoff.
Chili cookoffs are a time of showing off mad cooking skills, especially for those of a manly persuasion. Both those who organize the cookoff and those who participate can make the event go much smoother by following some simple ideas. If everything is done properly, after the first-place prize is declared and the picture taken for the local newspaper, almost everyone will go home also feeling like winners.
Event Pre-planning
Write up clear and simple rules as to who can participate, what counts as chili, what the participants need to do the day of the event, what they can do in advance, and what rewards are given. Designate specific people to handle tasks such as ensuring all supplies are available, participants are registered, and crowd control. Have plenty of room with available table space for participants and guests.
Organization
Start the event on time and keep it on time. Have volunteer emergency runners and go-fers for those last minute items and details that need to be worked out. Provide the tasting judges with a template noting the specific qualities they should be looking for in a chili, along with a scoring system so all judges operate from the same scorebook. Have the judges do a blind tasting so they do not know which chili belongs to which contestant. Have an opportunity for the guests to sample the chilis and vote on their "people's choice." An easy way to do this is to provide a mason jar by each pot of chili and give each guest one pinto bean. Each judge drops the bean in the jar of their favorite and the most beans wins.
Participating
Participants should have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. Do not violate the rules or you may be disqualified before you have an opportunity to compete. A chili cookoff is generally not the time for experimentation, so ensure you use a tested and perfected recipe. Create a comprehensive check list of all the necessary tools, ingredients and cooking equipment. Follow the list carefully before packing up to go to the cookoff.
Cookoff Day
If places are not assigned, arrive early to claim a prime spot. You want the wind to blow your smoke into other contestants' areas, not to have their smoke blow into yours. Arrange your shade to keep it from being a long, hot day with the sun on you. Lay out the equipment, tools, and ingredients in the order you will use them. Double check to ensure nothing has been forgotten, and if it has, send a teammate out to retrieve it. Believe in yourself and your recipe. If you see another contestant doing something interesting with his chili, take note, but do not attempt to emulate him at the last moment.
Tags: chili cookoff, tools ingredients