Host a Chili Cook-Off (2024)

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By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Created January 10, 2017

The Betty Crocker team is a competitive bunch. With the passion for great tasting food, we created a chili cook-off at work. Entries included family favorites... adventuresome ingredients (chocolate, beer and soda) and pure heat.

Host a Chili Cook-Off (1)

Our chili cook-off was such great fun and easy to do, we thought we’d share how to host a competition of your own.

Pre-Chili Cook-Off Planning

  • Invite guests to bring their best chili in a slow cooker, hot and ready to serve. Encourage a variety - meatless, spicy, white, or surprise ingredient.
  • Borrow bowls and spoons or buy disposables so everyone can have a separate bowl for each chili.
  • Make Chili Name Tags with the name of each chili and a rating for heat level.
  • Make enough ballots so each guest has a ballot for each chili.

Chili-Tasting Set-Up

  • Just before the guests arrive, set up a Chili Toppings Bar—offer a variety of chili toppings and “go-withs “. Include shredded cheese, chopped onions, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, sliced jalapenos and sour cream for toppings. You can get these ready the day before. Just cover and refrigerate until needed. Great go-withs include crackers, corn bread, tortillas and corn chips.
  • You may need to spread the slow cookers out among several outlets, so you don’t blow a fuse.
  • Offer a variety of drinks and a tossed green salad to round out the meal. A pan of Betty Crocker® brownies adds a special touch too.

Rules of the Cook-Off

  • Keep the cook of each chili secret—as to not throw the vote!
  • Invite your guests to taste a spoonful of each chili and fill out a ballot for their favorite before eating it as a meal. Have them clean their palate between tastings with a little water or soda cracker.
  • Have guests rate each chili on the ballot. The chili with the most points wins!
  • Announce the maker of each chili and then announce the winner.
  • Award prizes – grand prize, hottest, most creative, or easiest for just a few ideas.

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Host a Chili Cook-Off (2024)

FAQs

How to host a successful chili cook-off? ›

Top 8 Tips for Planning the Ultimate Chili Cook-Off
  1. Narrow your chili varieties. ...
  2. Consider raising money ahead of time. ...
  3. Ask cooks to bring crockpots. ...
  4. Make sure it's anonymous. ...
  5. Use small cups or bowls for testing. ...
  6. Don't forget your palate cleansers. ...
  7. Have live music or entertainment. ...
  8. Announce and award the top chef!
May 18, 2019

How to serve chili at a cook-off? ›

Include shredded cheese, chopped onions, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, sliced jalapenos and sour cream for toppings. You can get these ready the day before. Just cover and refrigerate until needed. Great go-withs include crackers, corn bread, tortillas and corn chips.

What is the best way to judge a chili cook-off? ›

Chili should not be dry, watery, grainy, lumpy, or greasy, but just good and smooth. off to a good taste. Chili should have a pleasant taste after swallowing. After taste should not be bitter or metallic.

What are the rules for a chili cook-off? ›

The chili is to be brought "ready-to-eat." Regular commercial chili powder is permissible, but complete commercial chili mixes are not permitted. Thickeners such as corn meal, flour etc., are permissible. All cooking is to be done in a sanitary manner.

What is the secret to amazing chili? ›

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

What sides do you bring to a chili cook-off? ›

16 Side Dishes That Go Great With Chili
  • 01 of 15. Sweet Jalapeno Cornbread. View Recipe. ...
  • 02 of 15. Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad. View Recipe. ...
  • 03 of 15. Savory Roasted Root Vegetables. ...
  • 04 of 15. Perfect Baked Potato. ...
  • 05 of 15. Ann's Dirty Rice. ...
  • 06 of 15. Cornbread Muffins I. ...
  • 07 of 15. Loaded Tater Tots. ...
  • 08 of 15. Creamy Spiced Coleslaw.
Feb 27, 2020

How do you keep chili warm for cooking off? ›

Maintain food temperature with these appliances
  1. Warming oven. This type of oven does exactly what you might guess: keeps cooked food warm until it's ready to serve. ...
  2. Warming drawers. These drawers serve the same purpose as a warming oven, but they take up less space. ...
  3. Slow cooker. ...
  4. Rice cooker. ...
  5. Chafing dishes. ...
  6. Heat lamps.
Feb 1, 2024

How many gallons of chili for cook-off? ›

Chili may be prepared with any kind of meat or combination of meats. Various spices and seasonings are allowed. The chili may include beans, pasta, rice or other filler ingredients. Each contestant should prepare a minimum of 2 gallons of chili for judging and serving to those in attendance.

What are good ideas for a cook-off? ›

Competitive Cook Offs

BBQ, grilling, and chili are the most popular culinary competition ideas. Other cook off contest ideas that may work for your event are desserts, movie night, Mom's best recipes, southern style, local favorites, and soul food.

How do you stand out in a chili cook-off? ›

Ingredients like tomato paste, cinnamon, coffee and liquid smoke can all add flavor hints that will make your chili cook-off entry unique. Roast your vegetables and use broth or beer instead of water for even more flavor in your pot.

What is a good palate cleanser for a chili cook-off? ›

Judge each chili on its own merit. Cleanse your palate. After each tasting take a sip of water, beer, or milk (best for neutralizing the effects of the capsicum in chilies). Plain saltine crackers are good cleansers as well.

How to win chili cookoff? ›

Winning chili must look good, smell good and taste good. Because the judging process takes a couple of hours, chili must retain its color, consistency, aroma, taste and afterbite while hot, warm, lukewarm and then cool in a styrofoam judging cup. The chili should be free of grease.

How can I make my chili more exciting? ›

Here are some of the most common (and most effective) flavor boosters to add to your chili recipe.
  1. Booze (Beer, Wine, or Liquor) ...
  2. Liquid Smoke. ...
  3. Brine or Vinegar. ...
  4. Soy Sauce. ...
  5. Fish Sauce. ...
  6. Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  7. Coffee or Espresso Powder. ...
  8. Chocolate.
Aug 23, 2021

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