Chili is fairly simple and quick to make, but the variations are endless - and it is amazing how passionately people will defend the proper amount of cilantro and the precise handling of the beef. The competition may get a little heated, but when friends compete to make the best chili, everyone wins.
The first thing you need to do is select your judging panel. You'll need an odd number, and you'll need to pick people who have no dietary restrictions, have strong opinions about food, and aren't dying to make their own batch of chili. It won't be easy, but the future of your cook-off depends on this.
Set-up

You'll need a big banquet table for the chili, and another table for condiments, sides, and beverages. You'll need a way to label each chili by number (not by name - anonymity is key). You can provide slips of paper for the contestants and a drop box so that they can vote for the fan favorite. Ballots for the judges can be more elaborate, so they can take notes. You'll also need a place to sequester the judges - contestants can chow down in chairs around the chili room, but the judges should eat at a table far enough away for comments like "This chili tastes like it came out of a diaper" won't be overheard.
Prizes
Give the people something worth fighting for! Grand High Cook-Off Wizard, Joey Arbeely, recently gave out Starbucks gift certificates and chili ladles for the winners in the categories of Fire Alarm, Best Vegetarian Chili, and Originality. Or you might consider gift certificates to your favorite Mexican restaurant, bottles of your favorite hot sauce, margarita rim-salters, or burned copies of the Bashionista Ole! playlist .
Condiments & Sides

Featured Cocktail: Limeade Margarita
Combine 6 oz Frozen Limeade Concentrate, 6 oz water, 4 oz tequila, and 2 oz of triple sec. Place a small plastic container on the bar with an inch of salt in it for salting the rims of glasses, and add slices of lime as a garnish. Makes one refreshing pitcher of margaritas.
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