Astor, Florida Chamber of Commerce

The following rules and regulations for cooks at the Astor Chamber of Commerce Chile Cookoff on March 15, 2008 are based on the International Chili Society rules and regulations and are as follows:
1. Traditional Red Chili is 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, with the exception of BEANS and PASTA which are strictly forbidden.
2. No ingredient may be pre-cooked in any way prior to the commencement of the official cookoff. 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.
3. You must be at least 18 years old.
4. The cooking period will be a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 4 hours. The exact starting and ending of the cooking period is to be announced by each local sponsoring organization. Cooking during entire cooking period is at the sole discretion of the contestant.
5. A representative of the sponsoring organization shall conduct a contestant’s meeting, at which time final instructions are to be given and questions answered at 8 a.m.
6. Contestants are responsible for supplying all of their own cooking utensils, etc. The sponsors of the cookoff will provide an area for each contestant.
7. Each contestant must cook a minimum of five gallons of competition chili prepared in one pot, which will be submitted for judging.
8. Contestants will NOT be permitted to sell their chili to the general public. If caught, they will be disqualified. All Contestants may participate in People’s Choice Award. People’s Choice Tasting Tickets will be sold for $1.00. They can taste one ounce of People’s Choice chili. Tasting begins at Noon. PEOPLES CHOICE CHILI MUST HAVE BEANS OR PASTA.
9. Each contestant will be assigned a contestant’s number by the Chief Scorekeeper and be given an official 32 oz. judging cup. Each contestant is responsible to deliver their cup, which must be filled to the bottom of the cup’s rim, to the judging area at the official time for judging.
10. Judges will be told they should vote for the chili they like best based on the following major considerations: good flavor, texture of the meat, consistency, blend of spices, aroma, and color.
11. The decisions of the Chief Judge shall be final.
RETURN TO COOKOFF PAGE