AppleUmpkin Chili Cook-off

Ladles up, chili champs!

Bring the heat and the hype! Whether your recipe is a no-nonsense classic red, a creamy white chili, a veggie crowd-pleaser, or a secret family masterpiece, this is your moment to own the spoon. Entries are capped and first-come, first-served. Blind judging means your aroma, body, and flavor have to win on merit – no showmanship, just great chili.

Prefer to woo the crowd? You can also opt into our fan-voted People’s Choice tasting. It’s separate from the main judging – participating (or not) won’t affect your shot at judge-awarded prizes. If you join People’s Choice, please bring 6–8 quarts so tasters don’t run out before voting closes. We’ll stage your slow cooker in the tasting area and keep it hot.

At a glance

  • Entry fee: $10, one entry per person

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

  • Judging: 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM; winners announced at 2:00 PM

What to bring

  • One full slow cooker of fully cooked chili; we’ll keep it hot in the tasting area

  • Label your cooker on the back with your name

  • Ingredient/allergen list (required on the form)

  • Choose your heat level on the form (five-point scale)

How judging works

Blind scoring on: Appearance (10), Aroma (20), Texture/Body (15), Flavor & Balance (40), Heat & Complexity (15) — 100 points total.

What you can win

First place wins a trophy and bragging rights; second and third take home their ribbons—and a burning desire to come back even bolder next year. People’s Choice winner is determined by public votes and recognized separately. The prize for the winner of the People’s Choice award is a smaller, but still satisfying, trophy.

Ready to compete? Submit the registration form below to lock in your spot.

Disclaimer: Your place in the lineup is secured only once payment is received.

Competition Rules
Waiver of Liability