What to Buy for a Chili Contest

A chili contest needs more than ingredients and serving bowls. You’ll need separate equipment for cooking, judging and tasting, plus enough cups, utensils, score sheets and power connections for every station. This checklist covers the practical supplies to buy or bring before the event. Confirm the number of participants first, then scale tasting cups, plates, cutlery, drinks and cooking equipment to match.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 70
Cooking tablesqty 10
Judges' table
Drinks table

Equipment

Induction hobsqty 10
Extension cordsqty 10
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 10
Paring knivesqty 10
Serving spoonsqty 12
Ladlesqty 10
Measuring cupsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12

Tableware

Tasting cupsqty 700
Bowlsqty 80
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Drinking glassesqty 80

Decorations

Race numbersqty 10
Name badgesqty 80
Tableclothsqty 12
Score sheetsqty 80
Ballotsqty 70
Pensqty 30

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Ground beef - 8 kg
- Kidney beans - 24 cans
- Black beans - 12 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 30 cans
- Tomato paste - 12 cans
- Corn - 12 cans
- Onions - 5 kg
- Garlic - 10 bulbs
- Red bell peppers - 30 pieces
- Vegetable stock - 10 liters
- Olive oil - 3 liters
- Salt - 1 kg
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Chili powder - 250 grams
- Cayenne pepper - 100 grams
- Oregano - 100 grams
- Tabasco - 4 bottles
- Chili sauce - 4 bottles
- Tortilla chips - 6 kg
- Grated Cheese - 4 kg
- Sour cream - 5 liters
- Spring onions - 30 pieces
- Fresh coriander - 10 bunches
- Limes - 40 pieces
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Sugar - 2 kg
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Ice cubes - 15 kg
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan one cooking table and one induction hob per competing participant or team, then add at least one spare extension cord and power strip. Check the venue’s available power before buying or borrowing equipment.
Buy tasting cups and spoons for every judge and participant, plus 10–15% extra for spills, dropped items and second tastings. Keep tasting supplies separate from the plates and cutlery used for regular food.
Prepare one clearly marked set of judging supplies: score sheets, ballots, pens, name badges and race numbers. Have these ready at the judges’ table before participants arrive, rather than sorting them during judging.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Use coolers for chilled drinks and thermos flasks for hot drinks so the drinks table does not depend on constant kitchen access.
Bring cleaning and serving supplies that are easy to overlook: waste bins, cutting boards, paring knives, serving spoons, ladles, measuring cups and serving platters. Count these separately from each contestant’s own cooking tools.

Frequently asked questions

How many tasting cups do I need for a chili contest?: Prepare at least one cup per tasting portion for every judge and participant, then add 10–15% extra. For 20 people tasting 10 chilis, that means 200 cups plus 20–30 spare cups.
How much power equipment is needed for a chili contest?: Plan one induction hob per cooking station and check the venue’s circuit capacity at least one week before the contest. Bring enough extension cords and power strips to reach every station, plus one spare connection.
How many drinks should I buy for a chili contest?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person; after that, allow one drink per person per hour. For 30 guests over three hours, buy roughly 120 drinks, then adjust for children, designated drivers and hot weather.
What tableware is needed for a chili tasting?: For a tasting-only setup, count one tasting cup and one spoon per sample for each taster, plus 10–15% spares. Add plates, cutlery sets and drinking glasses only for food or drinks served separately from the tasting.

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