Chili Cook Off Party
A Friendly Chili Cook-off Party
chili cook-off
Everyone has a favorite chili recipe. Each of us have our special seasonings, main ingredients, or cooking methods. Vegetarian chili, chicken chili, white chili – there’s way more than the normal beef and bean combo.
Some people may enjoy the challenge of a real cook off a la Food Network. But for most of us, it’s out of reach. However, you can host your own chili cook off right in your home. It’s good natured fun that will bring out your friend’s competitive side. Think about prizes that you can give out. Funny certificates printed on your computer framed in a dollar store picture frame are great. You can think of other prizes, a hot sauce collection, an assortment of dried chilies, or even a really cool t shirt.
You can have everyone competing against each other. But if you are going to invite a big crowd, divide the competition into smaller categories. If you do this, try breaking it up into meat based, poultry based, and vegetarian. Or you could categorize it by base and divide into green chili, red chili, and white chili if you’d prefer.
Decide if you’re going to have any rules. You could create an ingredient limited competition where 5 ingredients are the same for everyone, but in addition they get to pick 5 more of their choosing. You could decide to only allow chicken or vegetarian recipes. Really, it’s all up to you. You and your friends will be surprised at their creativity.
Request that each contestant bring their chili in a crock-pot. This way you can create a chili buffet for the ‘judges’ and the rest of your guests. Let the judges taste first. They only need to take a tablespoon of each to get the idea. After the judges deliberate, they can announce the winners and award the ribbons.
To make the buffet flow well put your best Noritake bowls and plates at the end, along with a glass full of soup spoons. If it’s a thick chili, use a plate. If it’s soupier use the bowl. Line up the slow cookers and make sure each cook labels it with their chili name and hotness. This will allow everyone to sample the super hot ones at their own discretion!
Have a table set up with chili fixings. Sour cream and shredded cheeses are a must. You could also have each guest bring a favorite hot sauce and set up a hot sauce bar too. Don’t skimp on the veggies either. Chop green onions, yellow onions, fresh heirloom tomatoes, fresh cilantro and chives for your guests to use.
Have some milk on hand in case someone gets too crazy with the hot peppers. It will help with the burn, unlike water which will just make it worse. You might want to have a cooler full of seasonal beer. I hear Anchor Steam Christmas beer has finally come out. That’s how I know the holidays are really here!
