COMPETITION GUIDELINES
The Weston Lakes Woman’s Association & Community Foundation Chili cookoff has two competitions: the Judged Competition and People’s
Choice. Any violation of the rules
included in this packet will lead to immediate disqualification.
1. Judged Competition
Teams are required to submit chili (containers
are provided) by 1:00 PM to the judging headquarters for this competition. All entries submitted for judging must be cooked
onsite – The entry you submit to the judges must be cooked from scratch on site
the day of the cook-off. ***Preparation must follow the Fort Bend County food handling guidelines.
https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/sites/default/files/document-central/document-central/administrator-documents/TemporaryFoodServiceRequir.pdf
There are two categories for competition. Teams can enter one chili in both
categories. Please indicate which
categories you intend to enter on the Cook Team application and pay the $25 entry fee for each category.
What are the different categories?
I. Texas Chili – Defined by the
International Chili Society as any kind of meat or combination of meats, cooked
with red chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Texas Chili is
not allowed to have any fillers (pasta and beans).
II. Dilly Chili – Experiment with
meats, fillers, veggies or gourmet items, anything goes!
2. People’s Choice
Cooks are asked to prepare an additional three (3 to 4) gallons of chili to serve to the public.
The public can buy wristbands and voting tickets from the Weston Lakes Women’s
Association table and vote for their favorite chili. The top team will be awarded People’s Choice
award. NOTE: Chili for Tasting/People’s Choice
may be different from your competition chili.
***No electricity (onsite or generators) are allowed.
RULES AND REMINDERS
CHECK-IN – Check in time
is Saturday morning, Nov. 8th at 7:30 am.
At check-in you will receive your Space Assignment, Name Badge, Tasting
Cups/spoons and Ticket Container.
BOOTH – Each team receives a
12’ x 10’ booth space. Teams must
provide their own tent, table, chairs, trash can/bags and other items for food
preparation (no electricity allowed). The competition is outdoors - so bring tents and/or tarps if there is a chance of rain or wind, you may need weights. We are a rain or
shine event.
Please keep all supplies and
decorations inside your booth. You may hand out leaflets or items from your
booth, but you may not sell anything.
HEAD COOKS MEETING – A Head
Cooks meeting will be held at 9:30 am, at which time teams are given official
“turn-in” containers for judged chili contest entry. Judged chili must be turned in by 1:00 pm to the judging area – no exceptions.
INSPECTION OF COOK AREA –
Cooking stations are subject to inspection by food inspectors. All cook teams
must comply with the Fort Bend County food handling guidelines.
Teams that do not meet these guidelines will be asked to leave the competition. Please review this link https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/sites/default/files/document-central/document-central/administrator-documents/TemporaryFoodServiceRequir.pdf
ELECTRICITY – Cook-off teams
are not allowed to use generators for any type of power for the cook site. Battery-powered,
charcoal or propane gas stoves are allowed. Teams must have a fire extinguisher
at the tent to douse open flames in case of emergency.
TASTING – Tasting is from
11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Wristbands for tasting will be sold at the event. Due to
Health Department rules, the public may not use their own cups and bowls for chili.
NOTE JUDGING WILL BEGIN AT 1:OO
PM Turn in your chili at the judging area.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE JUDGING –
The public votes for People’s Choice by submitting tickets for their favorite chili. Plastic bags will be provided, but you may
bring an additional container to collect tickets. At 1:30 pm, a volunteer will
come around to pick up People’s Choice tickets.
No additional tickets may be turned in after that time. Tickets must be turned in using the plastic
bag provided at the cooks meeting. Any team bag found to contain any object
other than dry tickets will be disqualified.
AWARDS – Awards will begin at 2:00 pm. Awards are
given for first through third place for Chili plus one winner
for People’s Choice.
HOURS – Cookoff is
from 11 am to 3 pm.
Please do not tear down before 3 pm.
The parking lot will reopen by approximately 4 pm. All booths and areas must be cleaned up
before that time.
The Weston Lakes Women’s
Association and Community Foundation reserves the right to refuse Cook-off Team participation for any
reason. if problems arise that are caused by the team on the day of the event.
Questions:
Contact Lisa Wollney @ 281-725-2739
Email: lisamwollney@gmail.com
