20th Annual Halloween Chili Cook Off

Bring your best recipe, turn up the heat, and compete for bragging rights. Bring your best recipe, turn up the heat, and compete for bragging rights at the 20th Annual Halloween Chili Cook Off at Rock City Harley-Davidson! To participate as a cooking team: (1) parking space is $50.00. (2) side by side parking spaces is $70.00. Only (4) team members allowed per team. General admission to the event is $5.00 at the door. Doors open to the public at 11:00 a.m. CHECK-IN FOR COOKING TEAMS: Set-up space is on a first arrival basis. Staff will be on site to check you in beginning at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 24. There is no early set-up. Plan to check in between 5:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. No vehicles in set-up area after 8:00 a.m. All team members must be inside the gate by 8:00 a.m. Each team member will be given a wrist band. Anyone other than your (4) team members will have to pay the $5 entry fee. Please drop off/unload your equipment as quickly as possible so other teams can do the same. COOKING: You MUST cook a minimum of (8) gallons of chili. Nothing can be cooked prior to checking in. (Food can be prepared for cooking, i.e., meat cut up, ingredients measured, use your common sense, etc.) You are required to bring your own ingredients, your own cooking and serving table, heat source, propane, or generator. No open fires on the asphalt. No fire pits. Grills are ok. Remember, you are self-sufficient. No electrical power will be available. If using charcoal, be prepared to take it with you – Please do not dump your charcoal in the parking lot. Please bring a trash can. Do not take the public trash barrels/boxes for your private use. There will be a dumpster available. DRESS UP YOUR SPACE (and yourself): This space includes your cooking area, tables, and anything else you need for presentation. If you plan to bring a tent, please be aware of size. Be kind and do not have your canopy in your neighbor's area. Be sure to bring a banner to let everyone know who you are and decorate your booth with a Halloween theme. Wearing a costume is highly recommended. SERVING: We open to the public at 11:00 a.m. IMPORTANT: Bring some candy for the kids since we emphasize safe Trick or-Treating for families. We will supply sampling cups, napkins, and spoons. If you wish to offer additional items as part of your presentation (crackers, condiments, etc.) that is your decision. Serve chili until you run out or until we instruct you differently. JUDGING: You will be given a time to submit 10 samples of your chili. Judging begins as early as 10:30 a.m. The event is officially over at 2:00 p.m. At that time, we will begin to clear the lot of anyone who is not a part of a team, or who is not actively tearing down their area. Please begin to tear down your area at 2:00 p.m. JUDGES SCORING METHOD: • Aroma • Appearance • Consistency • Taste • Aftertaste AWARDS: Awards will be announced between 1:45 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Awards are for Best Overall Chili 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Spiciest, Best Decorated Booth, and People’s Choice.