PJACC Official Chili Cook-off Rules

General Rules and Regulations

• Contestants must pre-register in order to enter contest
• A $25.00 ENTRY FEE IS REQUIRED.
• PJACC will sell bowls for $3.00 per bowl for the attendees to taste the chili and use for People's Choice judging.
• A panel of judges will be awarding trophies to the top 3 teams in Mild to Medium and top 3 teams in Hot to Extra Hot. The decision of the judges will be final.
• The contestant will need to furnish tables, chairs, or other supplies. All supplies and equipment are the responsibility of the contestants. We encourage you to have your own fire extinguisher for safety reasons.
• The contestant will be responsible for furnishing their own cooking means (propane). No wood or coal burning allowed.
• Contestants are encouraged to bring protection (shelter) from nature's elements, such as tarps, canopies, etc.
• Contestants are encouraged, not required, to name their chili & decorate their cooking area to reflect that name
• This chili cook-off is for cooks who just want to have fun and be recognized for their superb culinary skills. Let your hair down! Dress up, wear a costume, just have fun!

Best Chili Cooking Rules

• A minimum of 12 quarts of chili
• Chili must be cooked on site the day of the cook-off
• Be prepared from scratch (no commercial chili mixes) (only meat can be pre-cooked)
• Only edible ingredients may be used
• Be prepared in a sanitary manner
• You must be willing to taste your own chili
• Chili must be kept at least 140 degrees and covered with a lid when not serving (No Glass Lids Allowed)
• Cooking conditions are subject to inspection
• Be prepared in the open (No RVs, Closed tents, etc)
• Do not give out samples
• Agree to the terms that the Chamber will be selling bowls to sample all chili
• Trophies awarded by judging and People's Choice

Best Booth Rules

• You must be respectful to others, no offensive displays, excessive noise or music.
• Lewdness, nudity is prohibited
• The use of firearms, explosives, or pyrotechnics is prohibited
• Interfering with other contestants is prohibited

What is the cost and booth size, and what do we need to bring?
Entry fee is $25.00 per chili entry. Each team will be given a 10'X10' space; the rest is up to you. Teams are responsible for their own tables, chairs, cooking utensils, decorations, covering, cook stove, power source, and propane. We recommend you have some type of covering for your booth (a canopy tent is good), your decorations and your support team. The more support people you bring, the more activity around your booth, the better showmanship you demonstrate, the more votes you are likely to get from the people.

What is the set up time, cooking time, when can we leave, etc?
You may begin setting up your booth at 7 a.m. All vehicle deliveries of equipment and supplies must be completed by 8:30 A.M. The street will be closed to all vehicles from 8:30 A.M. until the police department deems safe after the event. Please allow time for entry and parking your vehicle

What is People's Choice Chili?
People's Choice Chili (PCC) is judged only by the people. There are no other judges. The chili with the most votes ($0.25 per vote) becomes the winner. If you have the most chili and friends at the cook-off, you might get the most votes!

There will also be a Best Booth award. Each chili team is strongly encouraged to decorate their booth to reflect their team's name in their booth décor. Some examples: Wild West Chili cooks might dress in western costumes; Great American Chili Company Cooks might go red, white, and blue; Nun Better Cooks in full nun's habits. The point is to have fun, be a little crazy, and sing some songs.

Final Tip: Chili cooks are known to stretch the truth. Many will tell people what their secret ingredients are, but I don't think they really use road kill, or rattle snake, or gun powder.

How much chili and what kind of judging?
We require a minimum of 12 quarts be available. A panel of judges will determine 1st thru 3rd place in Mild/Medium and 1st thru 3rd in Hot/Extra Hot. Bowls will be sold by the PJACC for $3.00 per bowl for attendees to taste. Attendees will cast their votes for People's Choice Chili and for Best Booth by depositing quarters in two "Voting Containers" that we will supply, and that you will have at your booth. The crowd will vote by depositing quarters in your containers. Whoever gets the most quarters in Best Booth will receive a 50/50 split of the "votes" and a trophy. Whoever gets 1st in Peoples Choice will receive 35% of the total pot and a trophy. 2nd Place for Peoples Choice will receive 15% of the total pot and a trophy.
Remember, no voting until 11:00 a.m.

REMEMBER, THE CROWD IS YOUR ONLY JUDGE FOR THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE! YOU CAN BE AS CREATIVE AS YOU WANT IN ATTRACTING THE CROWD AND GETTING VOTES IN BOTH CATEGORIES.

** The PJACC reserves the right to expel any exhibitor who refused to comply with these rules and regulations. Such contestants will forfeit all fees.