EARLY BIRD per category $35, if received by September 12, 2011. Entries received after the 12th are $50.00 per category.
Four categories of chili will be judged. If you are entering more than one category, all ingredients in each category must be prepared separately and a different cooking vessel is required for each category entered.
No ingredient may be pre-cooked or treated in any way prior to the preparation period, which will begin approximately one hour prior to the commencement of the official cook off. The only exceptions are canned or bottled tomatoes, tomato sauce, peppers, pepper sauce, beverages, broth and grinding and/or mixing of spices. Meat may be treated, pre-cut or ground. Meat may not be pre-cooked. All other ingredients must be chopped or prepared during the preparation period. NOTE: Further rule details will be sent to you if entering this category. You must be an ICS member to cook in this category.
* If you are not a current member and are planning to enter either of these categories, please add $50.00 to the entry fee. This will cover your ICS membership dues.
Teams are required to cook a minimum of four (4) gallons of chili, (ICS competitors only two (2) gallons are required for public consumption), but we encourage you to cook more (finished volume). Any chili prepared in advance must be for public tasting only and must be marked as non-competition. Please note that this event draws up to 5,000 or more spectators who will want to taste your chili for the People's Choice Award, so be prepared with a sufficient supply. Please only fill the tasting kit cups, which are 1 oz in size. The judges require 32 oz. for judging.
ICS Category requires a minimum of two quarts, to be submitted to the judges. Only assistants who have been identified to the cook off chairman prior to the cook off may assist the team. Assistance from any other person in any manner between 8:00 a.m. and noon shall result in immediate disqualification.
This is an International Chili Society Sanctioned Category. The winner will qualify for the World Championship Chili Cook Off set for Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2011. Salsa must be homemade by the contestant whose name and ICS # appear on the Contestant application. It may be brought to the site that day or it may be prepared at the Cookoff. If any alcohol is used in preparing the salsa, cooks must post a sign in a prominent place stating that the salsa contains alcohol; judges must be notified as well. Cooks must prepare at least 2 cups for judging and an amount of their choice for public tasting. This category has proven to be a great success, so plan accordingly. Please bring chips for public tasting. Health Dept. guidelines recommend gloved servers to prepare the chip with salsa for pubic tasting. No public dipping.
THE SALSA CATEGORY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN REGARD TO THE SPIRIT & BOOTH OR PEOPLE'S CHOICE. SALSA PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED FIRST THROUGH THIRD PLACE.
As in the chili competition, cooks must pick up their salsa cup for judging at the cooks meeting. Entries will be turned in at 1:15 p.m. in the judging area.
The head cook from each team is REQUIRED to attend the cook's meeting at 8:00 a.m. at the Judging Area. Any and all questions on procedures or rules should be asked at this meeting.
Immediately following the cook's meeting, the chief scorekeeper will give each team a 32 oz. collecting cup for each chili entry and a cup for each salsa entry. This is the only time competition sample cups will be handed out; therefore cook's meeting is required. Your confidential scoring number will be assigned to your team when you submit your sample for judging.
Only assistants who have been identified to the cook off chairman prior to the cook off may assist the contestant. Assistance from any other person in any manner whatsoever during the period of time from the contestants meeting to the end of the cooking period shall result in an immediate disqualification. The Chili Committee requests that the Head Cook be the designated person to report to the registration table the morning of the cook off. If you enter multiple categories you will receive only one packet. ONE People's Choice pot will be given to each team regardless of numbers of categories entered.
We encourage you to have cheering sections. These can help generate excitement for spectators throughout the day. LIVE ANIMALS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE EVENT. We expect that everyone will respect the family nature of the event and conduct himself or herself accordingly. Official support teams may not exceed 25 people.
We ask that all contestants be willing to be photographed and interviewed.
Booth spaces are approximately 20'x 20'. Contestants will be responsible for supplying all ingredients, cooking utensils, stoves, tables and chairs, ice chest, water supply, trash bags, etc. Marked booth locations will be on paved surface therefore, no pegs or stakes will be permitted to support booth decorations. Any support needed must be concrete blocks, sand bags, water jugs, etc. supplied by the contestant. NOTE: Rental chairs and tables will be available by advance reservations. No extra tables or chairs will be available the day of event. Cost: 8' tables, $15 each; folding chair, $3 each. A $25.00 REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED. Reserve your table(s) and chair(s) by filling out and returning the reservation portion of your entry form. Please include the cost of your table and chair along with your refundable deposit with your entry fee. Tables and chairs must be picked up and returned by the teams to the rental truck. If they are not returned your deposit will not be refunded. Deposits will be mailed within 10 days following event. If you are entering more than one category and would require a double booth space, please indicate on your registration form.
The City of Wichita Department of Environmental Services has certain standards that must be met. A detailed list follows. Please make certain you follow all of the standards. No exceptions. Call 268-8351 with any questions.
We encourage contestants to begin setting up booths any time after 6:00 a.m. No cars or trucks (except those which are an integral part of the booth decorations) will be allowed in the booth area after 8:00 a.m. After that time, contestants will have to carry in all materials by hand. TEAMS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CHECK IN AFTER 8:00 A.M. AND YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE. These rules will be strictly enforced.
Please do NOT dismantle your booths until 4:00 p. m. Each team is responsible for leaving its area CLEAN at end of day. Trashy spaces and early departures will work against you and future participation in the Cookoff.
We ask that all contestants who have special requirements notify Wichita Downtown Development Corporation at 264-6005 or via email at ann@downtownwichita.org at least seven days in advance to give us time to arrange adequate crowd control. We will treat all such information as strictly confidential.
Sales of any items other than those offered by Wichita Wagonmasters or distribution of any advertising materials or pamphlets including political advertisements are forbidden, unless previously approved by the Wichita Wagonmasters. Merchandise and beverages sold by Wichita Wagonmasters will be available.
All decisions of Wichita Wagonmasters, staff, committee, judges, and scorekeepers will be final.