VFW POST # 2399 Annual Cook-Off

1. Vehicles will be furnished free parking in a designated area west of the VFW. This will provide more room and safety in the Cook-off area. We ask that if you leave anything in your vehicle, cover those items and keep your vehicle locked. VFW will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.
2. Cooks Meeting at 9:00 am, Saturday morning, entry sign in and pick up entry containers will follow directly after meeting.
3. Coof-off Officials will not inspect entries; we feel everyone will follow the honor system as in past years. However, if you would like your entry inspected, the Head Judge will be happy to do so.
4. All entries have to be cooked on site with wood, charcoal, gas or electricity.
5. No precooked item; bought, canned, etc.
6. You may enter as an individual or a team as many entries in as many classes as you wish.
7. Any type of markings on entry containers will automatically disqualify that entry. Taped tickets must be on the top of plate.
8. Chili cannot contain beans nor any additives larger than the chili meat.
Spices or meats cooked in the Pinto Beans entries will be disqualified if it is larger than a bean.
Brisket entries must contain 7 slices with 3 of the slices cut in bite size pieces.
Rib entries must contain 7 ribs.
Chicken entries must contain a half jointed chicken.
You may use tin foil in your container as long as it is not showing outside the entry container at the time of turn in.
Entries disqualified due to not following all instructions will not receive a refund.
9. It will be the responsibility of each person to see his or her cooking area is kept in orderly manner and cleaned prior to leaving.
10. Head Cook will be held responsible for the conduct of their team members or guest. Any team or individual found to be involved in disruptive conduct will automatically be eliminated with no refund of entry frees and will be asked to leave the VFW property immediately and not return to any future event.
11. Decisions of the Head Judge will be final.
12. No Alcohol is allowed to leave the VFW Property. Alcohol purchased from the VFW can be taken to camp site. (upon leaving the Cook-Off Area please dispose of all alcohol in the trash can)


These events are held for VFW Post 2399 to raising funds for maintain our Post Home, help maintain a home for Disabled Veterans, Widows, and Children of deceased veterans. Enjoyment, good clean competition, family and friends getting together and making new friends are the main idea of this function and we would like to have your help in making this a fun event for everyone free of discord.

 

General Rules for Chili Cooks

When you pick up our Judging Cups, remove your half of the double ticket on the side of the cup and put your name on it. Put the ticket in a safe place. (must have to win) Don’t mess with the outside of the cup or the taped number. If your cup is damaged, bring it and both tickets stubs to Cook-off Headquarters for a replacement.

Your Chili must be cooked on site the day of the Cook-off from scratch. “Scratch” being defined as starting with raw meat and use your own spices. Chili must be prepared out in the open (not inside motor homes, campers, etc) in a sanitary manner. The Head Cook must prepare the Chili to be judged –no more than one judging sample can be taken from any one pot. Each cook may turn in only one cup of chili.

Your Chili will be judged on Appearance, Aroma, and Taste. Head cooks should be careful not to “mark” their judging cup in any way. It must NOT contain beans, pasta, rice, whole peppers or large pieces of vegetables, etc.

At “turn-in” time, fill your cup ¾ full (leaving at least 1 inch head space) and take it to the Cook-off Headquarters for judging. Don’t be late. No more chilies will be accepted after judging starts. If you are a Preliminary Judge, you will need to report to your designated table immediately after you turn in your chili. Further instructions about judging will be announce by your table monitor.


General Rules For Showmanship

Show Teams must have at least one member entered as a Chili Cook.

Showmanship will be judged on Theme (originality, etc), Costume, Booth Set-up, Action and Audience Appeal. Judging will be on a continuous basis for designated time for Showmanship.

Showmanship must be limited so as not to interfere with other Show Teams, or cause hazardous or unsafe conditions to exist. Amplification may be used with limited volume. Decision of volume shall be at the discretion of the cook-off committee.

No guns capable of firing bullets or blanks or using any other explosive or noise-producing pyrotechnics (fire works) will be allowed.

No nudity or lewdness will be allowed.

Failure to comply with any of these rules can result in disqualification.