AppleUmpkin Chili Cook-Off — Official Rules

Eligibility

  • Open to individuals or teams of any age.

  • One entry per team. A “team” is the primary entrant plus any helpers.

  • Home cooks and restaurants are welcome. Commercial teams must follow the same rules.

Registration & Fees

  • Entry fee: $10 per team.

  • Entries are capped at 20 and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Registration closes when paid entries reach capacity or by 8:00 PM ET on the October 4th 2025, whichever comes first.

  • Your spot is secured only when payment is received.

Check-In, Drop-Off, and Schedule

  • Drop-off: 10:00–11:00 AM at the Scout House in the Grove.

  • Judging: 11:15 AM–1:30 PM (blind).

  • Winners Announced: 2:00 PM at the main stage.

  • Late arrivals may be disqualified from judging.

What to Bring

  • One full slow cooker (e.g., Crock-Pot-style electric cooker) with your fully cooked chili, clearly labeled with your name.

  • Ingredient & allergen list (major ingredients only; see Allergen Disclosure).

  • We will provide hot-hold power and keep your cooker warm during the event.

Ingredients & Allergen Disclosure

  • List major ingredients and common allergens.

  • Clearly identify if your chili contains or may contain: dairy, eggs, wheat/gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish, pork, beef, chicken, turkey, or “other” (specify).

  • Vegetarian/vegan entries must be accurately labeled.

  • No cannabis, alcohol above flavoring amounts, or any ingredient prohibited by law or health code.

Food Safety & Equipment

  • Chili must be fully cooked before drop-off; on-site reheating/holding only.

  • Maintain hot holding at ≥ 140°F (60°C). Event staff may spot-check temperatures.

  • Electric slow cookers only. No propane, open flame, or deep fryers.

Heat Level & Style

  • Select one heat level during registration: Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, Inferno.

  • Any style is allowed (red, white, vegetarian/vegan, bean/no-bean), provided it meets food-safety rules.

People’s Choice (Optional, Separate Award)

  • You may opt in to People’s Choice public tasting and voting.

  • People’s Choice is independent of the main judging; participating or not will not affect your official score.

  • If opting in, bring 6–8 quarts so we don’t run out before voting ends.

  • We’ll stage your labeled slow cooker in the tasting area, keep it hot, and provide voting instructions for attendees.

  • Highest public vote total wins People’s Choice.

Judging (Blind)

  • Entries are judged blind; team identity is hidden.

  • Scoring (100 pts total):

    • Appearance — 10

    • Aroma — 20

    • Texture/Body — 15

    • Flavor & Balance — 40

    • Heat & Complexity — 15

  • Ties are broken in this order: higher Flavor & Balance, then higher Aroma, then judge’s head-table decision.

Awards

  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place (judge-awarded).

  • People’s Choice winner (public vote), recognized separately.

  • Prizes/ribbons announced at 2:00 PM at the main stage.

  • You do not need to be present to win.

Dish Pickup

  • Entrant can pick up their slow cooker at any time after the judging has concluded. 

Disqualification & Grounds for Penalties

  • Late drop-off, unsafe temperatures, use of prohibited equipment (propane/open flame), mislabeling allergens, or unsportsmanlike conduct.

  • Event staff may remove any entry deemed unsafe or noncompliant.

Refunds & Cancellations

  • Entry fees are non-refundable once your spot is confirmed, except in the event’s sole discretion (e.g., event cancellation or weather emergency).

Media Release

The entrant grants permission for the team or individual name, likeness, and entry to be photographed and/or recorded and used in event promotions, on the website, and on social media without additional compensation.

Code of Conduct

All entrants agree to be courteous to attendees, volunteers, and fellow teams; to follow staff instructions; and to maintain a clean, safe station. No profanity, harassment, disruptive behavior, open flames, or alcohol service in booths. The event reserves the right to remove any participant for cause.