REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8th, 2023, AT 8 PM EST
EVENT DATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 11TH, 2023, FROM 10 AM – 2 PM
SET UP FINISHED BY 9:30 AM

JUDGING STARTS AT 11 AM

Not 12 Noon like in the past events

CONTESTANT RULES & CONDITIONS:

1. Contestants must file either an electronic or paper Entry Form with a registration fee to officially reserve a spot.
2. The event site will open for registration check and set up at 7 a.m., All contestants and team members will sign a release and waiver of liability.
3. No parking will be allowed inside the cook-off area unless approved.
4. Ingredients must be pre-cooked before the commencement of the official cook-off. Meat may be treated, pre-cut, or ground, but it must be cooked. Each contestant is solely responsible for ensuring no ingredient is undercooked and there is no risk of food born illness. You must be willing to eat your chili.
5. The registrant must be 18 years or older
6. The contest is limited to 15 contestants.
7. No restrictions on chili ingredients, but you must be willing to provide a chili ingredient list to Chili Bosses.
8. Contestants may bring things to garnish their chili and to entice the patrons to try their chili in the hopes of gaining votes for your chili. Try sweetening the patrons’ experience with crackers, and cornbread, be creative and engaging. The more chili you have, the more potential votes you can serve.
9. Contestants must set up their “stations” and provide their equipment, including but not limited to tables, chairs, tents, pots, aprons, propane tanks (if owned), extension cords (no less than 14 gauge and no more than 25 ft long), or other items you might need.
10. Contestants are encouraged, urged, and otherwise motivated to decorate their area, tent, table, and even themselves.
11. Contestants will be required to have a representative ready to serve at the start of the event and continually available till the end of the event.
12. Contestants are highly recommended to cook at least 6 gallons (approximately six crockpots) of chili or have enough chili for a 2-hour taste testing time frame.
13. All contestants must be ready to turn in ungarnished samples for judging, just chili, no toppings, 15 minutes (approx. 11:15 AM) after the tasting phase starts. Cook-Off organizers will settle ties or disputes.
14. SWFHR will provide Tasting Cups, Spoons and Ticket Jars, and Access to Power while available (power is limited… we suggest you bring a source to keep your chili warm).
15. Each contestant is responsible for policing and cleaning up the area at the end of the day and removing all items from their location. No items shall be allowed to remain after the close of the contest unless pre-approved.
16. Winners are to be announced approximately 15 min after the end of the event.
17. NO power strips are to be used unless approved.
18. Contestants are NOT allowed to sell anything during the contest. However, at the end of the contest, you may sell your chili or other food products pre-packaged.

REGISTRATION FEES:

1. The Registration Deadline is Wednesday, March 8th, 2023.
2. The registration fee of $20 is applied to only 1 initial recipe and tent space up to 12’x12′.  Additional recipes may be entered for $5 per recipe; if an additional tent is needed, $5 more.
3. Entry Fee of $20 can be waived/free if you:
   1. donate a raffle basket valued at $20 or more to our “Monster” Raffle Row.
      1. Must be received before the day of the event to secure your position in the Cook-Off officially.
   2. represent a 1st Responder Unit as a team (e.g., Fire, EMS, Police/Sherriff).
      1. Be able to provide the unit designation, verification, and local area covered.
      2. Unit name must be somewhere in the Team Name.
   3. represent a Military Unit as a team (e.g., Reserve Units, local Recruiting Units, or other affiliates).
      1. Be able to provide the unit designation, verification, and local area covered.
      2. Unit name must be somewhere in the Team Name.
   4. are a Vendor at this event.
      1. Completed & Singed contestant form to secure a spot
   5. are a Sponsor of this event.
      1. Completed & Singed contestant form to secure a spot
4. Registration fees may be paid via cash, card, or check to South West Florida Horse Rescue, Inc. and have a memo of “Chili Cook-off.”
5. Fees paid before the registration deadline are eligible for return should a need for cancelation arise.
6. Cancelation requests must be directed to the CONTESTANT MGR. Lauren @ (303) 525-8693, info@swfhr.org, or the EVENT MGR Matt @ (239) 822-5366 on or before the deadline.

PRIZES:

1. Chili is blind judged on Aroma, Eye Appeal, Taste, and Overall Satisfaction. The decision of the judges is final.
2. Prize breakdowns:
   1. 1st Place – $500 & a Chili Grand Champion trophy
   2. 2nd Place – $325 & a Chili Champ Runner-Up trophy
   3. 3rd Place – $175 & a Chili Champ 3rd Place trophy
   4. People’s Choice Award – $100 & a trophy
   5. Host Choice Award – $50 Gift Card & a trophy
   6. Best Booth – $50 Gift Card