Chili Cook-Off Registration

Thank you for your interest in participating in our 2024 Chili Cook-Off, happening on Saturday, January 20, 2024, from 2 PM to 6 PM at Cutler Ridge Park.

Please read the rules and regulations to participate and complete the registration form below. Once you submit your form, we will review and reach back out to you to arrange payment and confirm participation.

If you have any questions, please contact Maria Herrera-Mendoza at (786) 459-7389 or at mherrera-mendoza@cutlerbay-fl.gov. 

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Entries

Only one entry per contestant/team will be allowed in each category. The Entry fee is $25 per category.

Registration deadline: Thursday, January 18, 2024.

Chefs Meeting

A mandatory Chefs Meeting will be held at Cutler Ridge Park (10100 SW 200 Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189) at 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 18, 2024. One representative from each team must attend.

Chef Divisions

There are three separate chef divisions:

  • Amateur (Chili, Salsa, Corn Bread)
  • Restaurant (Chili & Salsa)
  • Firehouse (Chili)

Prizes by Category and Division

Prizes will be awarded in each of the three categories: Chili, Salsa and Cornbread. There will also be a Best Decorated Booth prize.

Amateur Division

  • 1st Place Chili: $350
  • 2nd Place Chili: $250
  • 3rd Place Chili: $200
  • 1st Place Salsa: $225
  • 2nd Place Salsa: $175
  • 3rd Place Salsa: $125
  • 1st Place Corn Bread: $125
  • 2nd Place Corn Bread: $100
  • 3rd Place Corn Bread: $75

Restaurant Division

  • Best Chili: $250
  • Best Salsa: $200

Firehouse Division

  • Best Chili: $500

General Awards

  • People's Choice Chili 1st Place: $150
  • People's Choice Chili 2nd Place: $100
  • People's Choice Salsa 1st Place: $100
  • People's Choice Salsa 2nd Place: $75
  • Best Decorated Booth: $75

Food Preparation

All items must be prepared/mixed/cooked on site the day of the event. Meats must be available for inspection before being opened for cooking. However, ingredients may be prepped and/or pre-measured prior to arrival. All food must be prepared in plain sight. Commercial mixes will NOT be permitted – all food must be cooked from scratch. No electric heating allowed, only propane & charcoal.

Sanitation

Chefs are to prepare and cook their foods in as sanitary manner as possible. Cooking conditions are subject to inspection/modification by the event organizers or his/her designee.

Booth Location/Site

The event organizer has final say over space assignments. All chefs are responsible for their own tables, tent (maximum of one 10’x10’) and cookers. Set up begins no earlier than 8 AM.

Judging

For judging purposes, each head chef is REQUIRED to prepare a minimum of four gallons of chili; two gallons of salsa or one pan of corn bread (depending on categories entered). All judges' samples must be taken from the same batch. There will be 9 judges. Categories should be ready for judging by the following times:

  • 2:00 PM - Chili
  • 2:30 PM - Salsa
  • 3:00 PM - Corn Bread

Judges Samples

Once containers for the judges' samples have been issued, each head chef is responsible for his or her sample container. Chefs must not remove or tamper with the numbers on the outside of the containers. Any marked or altered container must be replaced prior to submittal to the judges or it will be disqualified. Sample sizes will be designated at the Chefs meeting.

You will be required to provide the following for the judges:

  • 1 cup of chili
  • 1 cup of salsa
  • 9 (small) pieces of corn bread

Sales of Food

No sale of chili, salsa or corn bread will be permitted.* Sales will result in immediate disqualification.

*Unless approved by Event Manager in advance.

Clean Up

All teams are responsible for clearing their area after the cook off. All teams will be held financially responsible for any damages done to their cooking area. We will provide an area for you to dispose grease.

Vehicles

  • 1 vehicle will be allowed to drive onto the field and drop off supplies.
  • All vehicles must be off the field, NO parking is allowed on the field unless approved by event coordinators.

The Town of Cutler Bay’s Event Manager reserve the right to modify or change any rules, at any time, without advance notice.

 

CHEF REGISTRATION FORM

Please include first and last name of all participating chefs in your team.
Please provide the best number(s) to reach you.
Competing Categories *
Check which category(ies) below you will compete in, within your division. The entry fee for each category is shown in parenthesis. No prizes awarded in the “Fun” Category.

Payment

Please note, once this form is submitted, Town staff will review your application and contact you shortly to arrange payment to participate in the cook-off, as outlined in the participation fees above. We accept credit card, money orders and checks. Checks should be made payable to: Town of Cutler Bay

General Agreement/Release

In consideration for the Town of Cutler Bay Parks and Recreation Department providing the requested activity, I do hereby:

  1. Assume all risk of possible damage or injury through my participation in this Town of Cutler Bay activity.
  2. Agree to compensate the Town of Cutler Bay for any repair and/or replacement costs for damages to the facility or equipment as a result of my misuse of the equipment.
  3. Agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Town of Cutler Bay and/or its departments, agents or employees from any and all liability, claims, suits, losses, damages including attorney’s fees at the trial and appellate court level, paralegal fees and investigative costs for injury to person or property arising out of my participation in the requested program.
  4. Understand and agree to abide by all applicable rules and regulations as set forth herein and attached to this form. I further understand that I may be asked to vacate the premises and may forfeit my participation fee and/or security deposit if I fail to abide by these rules and regulations or any other reasonable request from the Town of Cutler Bay staff. 
  5. I certify that the above information is correct and that I have read and understand the rules & regulations governing this activity.

By typing your name below, you are signing electronically and agreeing to the terms outlined in this application.

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