2nd AnnualChili Cookoff

Saturday, November 7 · 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Louie's Corner House · Buckeye Lake, Ohio

Registration & Entry

• Pre-registration encouraged. Sign up right here on this page, at the bar, or message us on Facebook. The $10 buy-in can be paid in advance or before the event starts on the 7th.
• Walk-ins welcome on the day, as long as your ingredients are listed clearly and you're ready to go.
• You (or your team) can enter more than one chili. Each entry has to be different (a different recipe and name), and each one is its own $10 buy-in.
• The $10 buy-in is due by the day of the event. All entry fees go to the winner.
• At check-in each chili gets a contestant number, which goes on its serving container. We'll give you the numbers.
• Entries stay anonymous until the winner is announced and are only called by contestant number.

Preparation & Ingredients

• Chili should be made ahead of time. Bring it finished.
• Each chili needs its own heat source (Crock-Pot, electric warmer, etc.) to stay hot while it's served. We'll supply extension cords and surge protectors as needed.
• Post a clear ingredient list with every chili, including allergens. Also say if it's gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan. We'll give you an allergen checklist to fill out.
• If your chili is gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan, label it clearly at your serving station.
• All ingredients must come from reputable sources (grocery store, wholesale, meat shop, etc.).
• Home-canned items, or anything prepared in an unlicensed home kitchen, may be disallowed under local health department rules. Check with the local health department.
• Bring at least 3 quarts of chili to serve and sample. Bring more if you like.

Setup & Your Responsibilities

• You supply all cooking and heating equipment, utensils, power cords, fuel, and so on.
• Setup starts at 12:00 PM and needs to be done by 1:00 PM.
• Keep your chili hot the whole time it's being served, at a safe temperature.
• Keep your area clean, safe, and free of hazards.
• Clean up your own grease, trash, and mess when you're done.
• We'll provide the basics: tables, signage, power, bowls, sample cups, spoons, and contestant cards. We don't provide cooking or serving utensils.

Food Safety

• Keep chili at a safe hot temperature while serving (135 °F or higher, or whatever local health rules require).
• Keep your hands clean. Wash after the restroom and after handling raw food.
• No tasting straight from the ladle or serving spoon. Use the clean disposable tasting spoons we provide.
• Sanitize or replace serving utensils as needed.
• No home-canned foods unless local health code explicitly allows them.
• Disclose allergens (dairy, nuts, soy, gluten, etc.) clearly to protect guests with allergies. Use the checklist we provide.

Serving & People's Choice Voting

• Chili is served to guests from 1:00 to 4:30 PM.
• Guests sample chili and cast a People's Choice vote.
• Each chili gets signage. Give your chili a name for the sign if you like.
• The chili with the most votes wins 1st place and takes all the entry fees, plus bragging rights for a whole year.
• 2nd and 3rd place get non-monetary prizes.
• No judges are needed. The winner is chosen by public vote.

Awards & Announcement

• The winner and the prize amount are announced at 5:00 PM.
• Organizers can disqualify any entry that breaks the rules.

Behavior & Disqualification

• Don't interfere with anyone else's entry or equipment.
• Harassment, sabotage, or any unsportsmanlike behavior means disqualification.
• Follow the bar's rules (age restrictions, alcohol rules, etc.).
• The organizers' decisions on rule interpretation, disqualification, and prize eligibility are final.
• A disqualified entry isn't eligible for awards or public voting.
• Leave your area clean, dispose of your trash, and put the space back the way you found it.

Schedule

• 12:00 PM — Setup begins
• 12:45 PM — Contestants ready (final checks)
• 1:00 PM — Chili serving and tasting opens, voting begins
• 4:30 PM — Voting ends, ballots collected
• 5:00 PM — Winner announced, prize handed out
• 6:00 PM — Cleanup finished

Liability

• You serve chili at your own risk. Louie's Corner House and the organizers aren't liable for allergic reactions, injuries, or foodborne illness.
• By entering, you confirm you've read and agree to these rules.
• Organizers may ask you to sign a liability waiver.