ChiliConCarne 2019 CON COMPETITION OFFICIAL RULES

If you wanna eat, you gotta compete!

Our forebearers saw fit to create 7 AMAZING CATEGORIES to showcase every chili-centric passion & talent:

CHILI CATEGORY OFFICIAL RULES

Competitors: thank you for competing in ChiliConCarneCON'19! Did you get your ticket? Every attendee is also a competitor at this All-Participatory event, so we’ll all be purchasing a ticket - including the organizers. It’s a lot to ask, we know. But 100% of the ticket sales go towards the competition, pageantry, and PRIZES.

1) How much do you make? A full crock-pot will be about right(the average crockpot holds a gallon - AKA 16 cups). Chili cook-off Competitors should prepare a minimum of 1 GALLON, so that each of our 65 Citizen Judges — including yourself! — can have a 2 oz taste (a double-sized shotglass) of each competing chili.

VITAL COOK HOW MUCH TO MAKE UPDATE FOR 2019: In a seeming paradox, 2019 has just as much food but fewer expected eaters.

This year we'll still have the traditional ChiliConCarneCON competitive lineup: 12 Chilis (8 meat, 4 veggie) 3 Cornbreads, 3 Cold Salads, 3 Confections and 3 Cocktails - and the portions will still be the same 2 oz servings (based on an adult's theoretical eating capacity if they try every competition entry) BUT all cooks can cook just a little less this year. We're expecting around 40 eaters which means you should bring FORTY 2 OZ servings (totalling 10 cups of food) or around 3/4 a gallon.

Bringing a little extra is not a terrible idea - and cooks are encouraged to swap leftovers. This year's 4 oz ceremonial wide-mouth judging cup (yours to keep) even comes with a lid!

2) Meat Chilis: All meat/meat products must be Organic and/or Grass Fed. We’re saving the world, one bowl at a time. We're not gonna police your meat - but we ask that you honor this policy as part of how we play - it's part of what make this competition great!

2B) Veggie Chilis: All veggie chilis should be strictly vegetarian and must contain zero meat to qualify. If your chili is vegan - great! Be sure to tell everyone but vegan is not neccesary to compete in the Veggie Chili category.

3) Your chili must arrive to the competition grounds already prepared, requiring only minor reheating (in your own cookware) for presentation & competition. Most entries will be served from crockpot. Please bring your own extension cords & power strips to plug into our electricity!

ChiliConCarneCON will provide each cook with a 2 oz serving ladle to match the size and shape of this year’s judging cups.  

4) Cooks MUST be on-site at the convention at 11:30 SHARP. With so many cooks in the kitchen, promptness is VITAL. Arrive on-time and READY TO WIN THE BIG SPOON.

5) Know Thy Chili. You will not be asked by any representative of ChiliConCarneCON 2019 to compromise the secrecy of your recipe’s ingredients. However, you will be asked by the Citizen-Judges about your Chili's Name & the Origin Story of how you came to possess your secret recipe. Your response is part of how your chili will be judged! We will not be fact-checking. No-Holds-Barred.

6) Submit your Chili's Name to Cook@ChiliConCarneCON.com by the Saturday before the event. You will have beautiful signage identifying your Chili Station, and we need time to make it!

7) Playfully dignified trash-talking between Competitors is allowed and unofficially encouraged. While revenge is a dish best served cold, competitive chili is best served HOT. The competition begins the moment you show up - and only one of you can take home THE BIG SPOON.

Questions? Email Brent or Brett & we'll tell ya how it is.

CATEGORY OFFICIAL RULES

Thank you for competing in ChiliConCarneCON'19! Did you get your ticket? Every attendee is also a competitor at this All-Participatory event, so we’ll all be purchasing a ticket - including the organizers. It’s a lot to ask, we know. But 100% of the ticket sales go towards the competition, pageantry, and PRIZES.

1) How much do you make? Cornbreads, Cakes & Pones (henceforth “Cornbreads”) Competitors must prepare a minimum of 65 individual servings of Cornbread so that each Citizen Judge — including yourself! — can have a taste of each competing Cornbread.

VITAL COOK HOW MUCH TO MAKE UPDATE FOR 2019: In a seeming paradox, 2019 has just as much food but fewer expected eaters.

This year we'll still have the traditional ChiliConCarneCON competitive lineup: 12 Chilis (8 meat, 4 veggie) 3 Cornbreads, 3 Cold Salads, 3 Confections and 3 Cocktails - and the portions will still be the same 2 oz servings (based on an adult's theoretical eating capacity if they try every competition entry) BUT all cooks can cook just a little less this year. We're expecting around 40 eaters which means you should bring FORTY 2 OZ servings (totalling 10 cups of food) or around 3/4 a gallon.

Bringing a little extra is not a terrible idea - and cooks are encouraged to swap leftovers. This year's 4 oz ceremonial wide-mouth judging cup (yours to keep) even comes with a lid!

What’s an individual serving? Depends on your format.

If you prefer the “mini-muffin”/ “mini-cupcake” individually wrapped style Cornbread - you’ll want to limit yourself to a 1 or 1.5 inch diameter cup (such as the Wilton Mini Baking Cup or Suntake Mini Cupcake Baking Pan).

If you elect to serve from a shallow pan or baking sheet, an individual serving shouldn’t exceed a 1 inch square slice of not more than 2 inch thickness.

All that said, bringing a little extra is not a terrible idea. Cooks are encouraged to swap leftovers.

2) Your Cornbread must arrive to the competition grounds already prepared for presentation & competition. Oven facilities will not be available on site.

3) You will be responsible for “plating” your squares for easy grab-and-go judging, and the Wilton Mini Baking Cup remains a fine wrapper for your Cornbread squares.

4) Competitors MUST be on-site at the convention at 11:30 SHARP. With so many cooks in the kitchen, promptness is VITAL. Arrive on-time and READY TO WIN.

5) Playfully dignified trash-talking between Competitors is allowed and unofficially encouraged.
 

Questions? Email Cook@ChiliConCarneCON.com.

CATEGORY OFFICIAL RULES

Thank you for competing in ChiliConCarneCON'19! Did you get your ticket? Every attendee is also a competitor at this All-Participatory event, so we’ll all be purchasing a ticket - including the organizers. It’s a lot to ask, we know. But 100% of the ticket sales go towards the competition, pageantry, and PRIZES.

1) How much do you make? For coleslaws & cold salads (henceforth "Slaws") competitors must prepare a minimum of 16 cups of salad (128 fl oz, or 1 Gallon) so that each of our 65 Citizen Judges — including yourself! — can have a 2 oz taste (a double-sized shotglass) of each competing salad.

VITAL COOK HOW MUCH TO MAKE UPDATE FOR 2019: In a seeming paradox, 2019 has just as much food but fewer expected eaters.

This year we'll still have the traditional ChiliConCarneCON competitive lineup: 12 Chilis (8 meat, 4 veggie) 3 Cornbreads, 3 Cold Salads, 3 Confections and 3 Cocktails - and the portions will still be the same 2 oz servings (based on an adult's theoretical eating capacity if they try every competition entry) BUT all cooks can cook just a little less this year. We're expecting around 40 eaters which means you should bring FORTY 2 OZ servings (totalling 10 cups of food) or around 3/4 a gallon.

Bringing a little extra is not a terrible idea - and cooks are encouraged to swap leftovers. This year's 4 oz ceremonial wide-mouth judging cup (yours to keep) even comes with a lid!

2) Your salad must arrive to the competition grounds already prepared, ready for presentation & competition. Most Slaws arrive ice-packed in a cooler. It's gonna be hot out, so keeping your main supply of Slaw cold is part of your Competitorly duties.

3) You will be responsible for “plating” your 2 oz portions for easy grab-and-go judging - we recommend the Solo 2.0 oz Treated Paper Cups. ChiliConCarneCON provides the tiny spoons.

4) Competitors MUST be on-site at the convention at 11:30 SHARP. With so many cooks in the kitchen, promptness is VITAL. Arrive on-time and READY TO WIN.

Questions? Email Cook@ChiliConCarneCON.com.

CATEGORY OFFICIAL RULES

Thank you for competing in ChiliConCarneCON'19! Did you get your ticket? Every attendee is also a competitor at this All-Participatory event, so we’ll all be purchasing a ticket - including the organizers. It’s a lot to ask, we know. But 100% of the ticket sales go towards the competition, pageantry, and PRIZES.

1) How much do you make? Confections & Sweets (henceforth "Confections") Competitors must prepare a minimum of 65 individual servings. If your confection is creamy or gooey - prepare a minimum of 16 cups (128 fl oz, or 1 Gallon). If your confection is flakey or bakey, perhaps serve from a shallow pan or baking sheet, an individual serving shouldn’t exceed a 1 inch square slice of not more than 2 inch thickness. The idea is that each of our 65 Citizen Judges — including yourself! — can have a taste of each competing Confection.

VITAL COOK HOW MUCH TO MAKE UPDATE FOR 2019: In a seeming paradox, 2019 has just as much food but fewer expected eaters.

This year we'll still have the traditional ChiliConCarneCON competitive lineup: 12 Chilis (8 meat, 4 veggie) 3 Cornbreads, 3 Cold Salads, 3 Confections and 3 Cocktails - and the portions will still be the same 2 oz servings (based on an adult's theoretical eating capacity if they try every competition entry) BUT all cooks can cook just a little less this year. We're expecting around 40 eaters which means you should bring FORTY 2 OZ servings (totalling 10 cups of food) or around 3/4 a gallon.

Bringing a little extra is not a terrible idea - and cooks are encouraged to swap leftovers. This year's 4 oz ceremonial wide-mouth judging cup (yours to keep) even comes with a lid!

2) Your Confection must arrive to the competition grounds already prepared, ready for presentation & competition. Most cold confections arrive ice-packed in a cooler. The convention site has no dedicated freezer space, and it's gonna be hot out, so keeping your main supply of Confections cold is part of your Competitorly duties.

3) You will be responsible for “plating” your 2 oz portions for easy grab-and-go judging - we recommend the Solo 2.0 oz Treated Paper Cups. ChiliConCarneCON19 provides the tiny spoons.

4) The Confection Competition starts at 3:30PM SHARP, so please haver your confeciton onsite by 2:30PM. That said - Competitors are strongly encouraged to arrive at HIGH NOON as this is an all-day event with a full program of activities and we want the pleasure of your company!
 
5) Playfully dignified trash-talking between Competitors is allowed and unofficially encouraged.
 

Questions? Email Cook@ChiliConCarneCON.com.

CATEGORY OFFICIAL RULES

Thank you for competing in ChiliConCarneCON'19! Did you get your ticket? Every attendee is also a competitor at this All-Participatory event, so we’ll all be purchasing a ticket - including the organizers. It’s a lot to ask, we know. But 100% of the ticket sales go towards the competition, pageantry, and PRIZES.

This year's alcohol theme is MEZCAL. What does that mean? Your cocktail creation should use Mezcal as its primary alcohol component. ChiliConCarneCON is aware that the perfect cocktail sometimes contains a dash of this alcohol and that, but be aware that our 65 Citizen Judges -- including yourself-- will be eating and drinking a staggering amount in the hot California sun and that we're only human. We're trying to minimize Chili-related deaths at this year's convention and appreciate your help.

1) How much do you make? Cocktail Competitors must prepare a minimum of 16 cups (128 fl oz, or 1 Gallon), so that each of our 65 Citizen Judges — including yourself! — can have a 2 oz taste (a double-sized shotglass) of each competing Confection.

VITAL COOK HOW MUCH TO MAKE UPDATE FOR 2019: In a seeming paradox, 2019 has just as much food but fewer expected eaters.

This year we'll still have the traditional ChiliConCarneCON competitive lineup: 12 Chilis (8 meat, 4 veggie) 3 Cornbreads, 3 Cold Salads, 3 Confections and 3 Cocktails - and the portions will still be the same 2 oz servings (based on an adult's theoretical eating capacity if they try every competition entry) BUT all cooks can cook just a little less this year. We're expecting around 40 eaters which means you should bring FORTY 2 OZ servings (totalling 10 cups of food) or around 3/4 a gallon.

Bringing a little extra is not a terrible idea - and cooks are encouraged to swap leftovers. This year's 4 oz ceremonial wide-mouth judging cup (yours to keep) even comes with a lid!

2) Your Cocktail must arrive to the competition grounds already prepared & ready for competition. Upon arrival your entry will be placed in our serving vessels so that our onsite Bartender can serve any of the Cocktails Entries to our Citizen Judges upon request.

Each 2oz cocktail will be served in a small drinking vessel with a small portion of ice, both of which ChiliConCarneCON'19 will provide for you.

3) If your Entry includes garnishes or fixin's, arrive with these elements ready for serving - and make it SUPER SUPER EASY for our (volunteer, over-heated, perhaps drunk) bartenders!

4) Competitors MUST be on-site at the convention at 11:30 SHARP. With so many cooks in the kitchen, promptness is VITAL. Arrive on-time and READY TO WIN.

Questions? Email Cook@ChiliConCarneCON.com.

CHILI CATEGORY OFFICIAL RULES

Thank you for competing in ChiliConCarneCON'19! Did you get your ticket? Every attendee is also a competitor at this All-Participatory event, so we’ll all be purchasing a ticket - including the organizers. It’s a lot to ask, we know. But 100% of the ticket sales go towards the competition, pageantry, and PRIZES.

1) What is the Chili Cotillion? Our Chili/Cowboy/Western/BBQ-centric TALENT SHOW. Each Cotillion Contestant will be featured center-stage for a 3-minute showcase in the chili-centric style of your choosing, including Music, Dance, Fire-Arts, Hog-Calling, Oration, Comedy, Yodeling, Roping/Branding, Hot Dog Juggling, or Chili-Centric Pageantry of any stripe.

2) Competitors will be judged by Round of Applause according to the following combined criteria: Chili Virtue & Merit (see below), Conviction, Aplomb, and Je Ne Sais Quoi (western-style).

4) You may include a recorded song as background accompaniment for any field. Work these or any other technical logistics out with a ChiliConCarneCON Chairperson before the day of the event.
 
5) Cotillion performances are limited to 3 minutes.

6) Pageantry - Show us some Chili Spirit (known as "The Chili Dog Touch"). Miss ChiliConCarneCON 1924 won judges’ hearts by embodying the very heart and soul of chili. She and her cornhusk bathing suit exemplified how chili can change the world. We suspect you’ve got it in you. Convince us.  

7) The Chili Cotillion starts at 5:30PM SHARP, so compeitors should be costumed and ready by 5:o0PM. All Citizen Judges are strongly encouraged to arrive at HIGH NOON as this is an all-day event with a full schedule of surprises and we want the pleasure of your company! Arrive prepared & READY TO WIN!
 
8) Playfully dignified trash-talking between Competitors is allowed and unofficially encouraged.
 

Questions? Email Cook@ChiliConCarneCON.com.

CATEGORY OFFICIAL RULES

Thank you for competing in ChiliConCarneCON'19! This is the largest category - and the most user-friendly way of bringing some color to ChiliConCarneCON19! Even if you register for another category, you’re absolutely welcome & encouraged to dress up! It only makes ChiliConCarneCON better for everyone!

1) Have some fun with it. Let your inner Rhinestone Cowboy/Cowgirl/CowNonBinary shine with some Chili Spirit (known as "The Chili Dog Touch"). Check out these Chili/Cowboy/Stew/Western/BBQ-themed costumes for inspiration. Or - interpret it your own way!

2) OF COURSE we’re hoping you go big! But let us just mention - “Person at a Chili Contest” isn’t a costume. It is beneath the dignity of this venerable event. Even if you can’t remember where you put your good bandana, places like 99¢ Store, Party City, or GoodWill can hook up a great look on the cheap!

3) No live firearms or shooting displays, unless approved by a ChiliConCarneCON Chairperson before the day of the event.

4) Competitors are encouraged to arrive at the convention at HIGH NOON SHARP. This is an all-day event, and we want the pleasure of your company!

Questions? Email Cook@ChiliConCarneCON.com.

1. Savor - the sublime surrender and union with pleasant taste, flavor, and fragrance
2. Jurisprudence - the spirit of competition, good faith & fervid devotion to the pursuit of victory
3. Valor - heroic, selfless courage, particularly in the face of heated competition & judgement
4. Pageantry - elevating the Chili Arts to their greatest dizzying heights, and giving it to the people
5. Artisanship - creating works of Chili and Chili-related regalia that is worthy of THE BIG SPOON
6. Panache - confident, self-assured, stylish, charismatic pursuit of Chili Merit
7. Aplomb - unnerving poise, calm, and equilibrium in the heat of great chili, great competition
8. Flamboyance - embodying boldness, color, brightness, daring, and stylishness
10. The ChiliDog Touch - the ineffable, sublime, archetypal spirit of Chili