[ Chilimania Home ]
Chili & Salsa  reactor_cooling_md_clr.gif (16468 bytes)
bbqflames_lg_clr.gif (21663 bytes)Contests
 

Please Note:  The CASI Contest is Chili-Grind Only!

Contest Prizes
(From September 6, 2008)
(CASH PRIZES FOR SALSA AND TRADITIONAL CHILI CONTESTS ONLY)

Best Chili.........$350-250-125
Best Theme...................$100
People’s Choice............$100
Best Salsa.......................$75

Plus, Hand-Carved Chili Pepper Trophies
for all Categories and Gift Bags for all contestants!

Chili_Trophies_2008.jpg (50148 bytes)
2008 Hand-Carved Trophies


Cooker's Schedule
(From September 6, 2008)

Site Opens to Cookers & Registration.................7:00 AM
Cook’s Meeting.......................................................10:00
Gates Open to General Public...................................11:00
Salsa Contest...................................................12:00-1:00
CASI Showmanship.........................................12:00-1:00
CASI Turn In and Judging......................................1:30
TRADITIO
NAL Turn In and Judging...................2:30
Public Tasting of Chili.................................................3:00

CASI & Salsa Winners Announced.............................5:00
Traditional & Other Winners Announced.....................6:45
(Times & Activities Subject to Change-Check Back Often)

Click here for a printable ENTRY FORM.

 

Categories Defined

Chilimania plays host to the Wisconsin State Championship CASI-Sanctioned cook-off (Chili Appreciation Society International).  The CASI cook-off is open to any cooker as long as they prepare chili-grind chili and their chili preparation meets CASI regulations (see all cook-off rules below).

In addition to the CASI Wisconsin State Championship, Chilimania will host their "TRADITIONAL," anything goes, contest.

Chili chefs may enter the CASI contest, the TRADITIONAL contest or both, along with the salsa contest, all for one entry fee.  (To enter the salsa contest, at least one of the chili cooking contests must be entered).  Please note that each chef must cook or bring enough chili for the public tasting.


Remember to
...Kiss the Cook!!

Cook-off Rules

1. Each contestant must prepare at least one gallon of chili for judging and tasting, plus prepare or bring one additional gallon of chili to have available for public tasting.

2. All contestants are REQUIRED to bring their own ingredients, tables, cooking source, and supplies.   Electricity will not be available.

3. All judged chili must be cooked from scratch using raw meat the day of the cook-off.  Chili will be prepared out in the open.  All ingredients which need to be kept cool must arrive at the contest in coolers and be kept cool until needed.

splatter_md_clr.gif (15545 bytes)4. Cooks are to prepare and cook in as sanitary a manner as possible.

5. Cooking conditions are subject to inspection by the judging committee and/or regional or area referee.

6. All chili cooks may be required to eat a spoonful of their own chili before turning it in for judging.

7. Failure to comply with officials on any matter is subject to disqualification of the individual cook for that cook-off.  Anyone disqualified will be notified immediately.  Decisions of the official(s) are final.

8. Contestants are encouraged to decorate their area in a "theme" for the Best Theme Award.

9. Contestants will give tablespoon-sized chili samples to curious onlookers.  Tasters will then use the ballot included with their sampling dish to vote for the People’s Choice Award

Additional CASI Rules

10. Chilimania's CASI contest is a "CHILI GRIND" only event (see description next paragraph).  All chili to be judged for the CASI contest must meet chili grind specifications.

"CHILI GRIND" is a special, coarse grind of meat, and is an excellent alternative to regular ground meat, but regular ground meat may also be used.  Some recipes specifically call for chili grind.  Most butchers will prepare chili grind for you, although you may have to place your order in advance or purchase a minimum quantity.

food_toss_md_clr.gif (13535 bytes)11. CASI chili does not contain fillers, such as beans, macaroni, rice, hominy or other similar items.  However, CASI cooks may add filler after the CASI contest to change or stretch their chili for the TRADITIONAL contest.

12. Each head cook is responsible for cooking one pot of chili and turning in one judging cup from that pot.   The head cook must prepare the chili that he or she intends to be judged and no more than one judging sample may be taken from any one pot per contest entered.

Salsa Contest

Any interested chili contestant may also enter the salsa contest.  Bring your own homemade salsa, provide some chips and you will be eligible to win some extra cash!  Salsa judging will take place from Noon-1 PM by a panel of judges who will go from booth to booth of entered contestants to sample the salsas.  Salsas entered must be homemade and all salsa entrants must enter at least one of the chili cooking contests!  The winner will be announced at 5 PM.


Chili Judging Criteria

Chili should LOOK GOOD,
checklist_sm_clr.gif (19063 bytes)SMELL GOOD and
TASTE GOOD!

Color–Reddish, reddish-brown or brown are OK.  Excessive grease mars appearance and taste.

Aroma–Chili should not smell burnt or unpleasant.

Taste–A really good taste will stand out.

Consistency–Chili should be a GOOD MEAT AND GRAVY combination.  Meat should be tender but not broken down.

Aftertaste–Residual taste should be PLEASANT and AFTER-BITE may also be present.  The absence, presence or level of bite is a matter of personal preference.

 

Click here for a printable ENTRY FORM.

[ Chilimania Home ]