How to organize a chili contest

A chili contest needs more than recipes and hungry guests. Set the competition format first, then confirm participants, judges, dietary requirements, and the rules they will follow. On the day, separate cooking, judging, and tasting areas so the event does not become a queue around one table. Allow enough time to test the power supply, chill drinks, label entries, and prepare score sheets before the first contestant arrives.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Set the competition format
2 people
2
Reserve venue
3
Send invitations
2 people
4
Process registrations
5
Confirm participants
6
Collect dietary requirements
7
Invite the judges
8
Send competition rules
9
Finalize the participant list
10
Make jury forms
11
Check venue and power
2 people
12
Check the shopping list
13
Do the shopping
2 people
14
Collect materials
2 people
15
Print chili instructions

Event

16
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
17
Set up party tents
4 people
18
Set up cooking stations
3 people
19
Connect power and cables
2 people
20
Set up judges' table
2 people
21
Set up tasting table
3 people
22
Chill drinks
2 people
23
Set out tasting cups and cutlery
2 people
24
Receive participants
3 people
25
Check cooking stations
3 people
26
Number the chili monsters
2 people
27
Provide the Opening and Explanation
28
Lead the cooking round
3 people
29
Refill drinks
2 people
30
Hand out tasting portions
4 people
31
Coordinate the jury tasting
2 people
32
Collect audience votes
2 people
33
Refill the tasting table
2 people
34
Count votes
2 people
35
Announce the winners
36
See participants and guests off
3 people

Aftercare

37
Pack leftovers safely
3 people
38
Dismantle cooking stations
4 people
39
Wash dishes
3 people
40
Collect waste
3 people
41
Clean the venue
4 people
42
Put furniture back
4 people
43
Return materials
2 people

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

Tips

Choose the format before sending invitations: decide whether contestants cook on site, bring finished chili, or do both, and state the serving size and judging criteria in the rules. This prevents last-minute questions and makes the participant list final sooner.
Give registrations a firm closing date at least 7 days before the contest. Use the final list to assign race numbers or name badges, collect dietary requirements, and prepare enough tasting cups, bowls, cutlery, and score sheets.
Check the venue’s power capacity before booking induction hobs. Count the hobs, extension cords, and power strips together, and test the cooking stations while they are set up rather than discovering an overloaded circuit during the contest.
Create separate tables for cooking, judging, tasting, and drinks. Set out the judges’ forms, ballots, pens, serving spoons, and ladles before guests arrive; these small items are commonly forgotten until judging has already started.
Build in at least 45 minutes before opening for tables, chairs, tents, cables, coolers, and signage. Chill drinks in advance, keep waste bins visible, and have one person receive contestants while another checks each cooking station.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a chili contest?: Start 4 to 6 weeks ahead if contestants need to register and judges need to be invited. Close registrations about 7 days before the event so you can finalize the list, print forms, and check dietary requirements.
How many cooking stations do I need for a chili contest?: Plan one clearly marked cooking station per contestant cooking on site. Each station needs a stable cooking table, an induction hob, safe cable access, and enough space for a cutting board, knife, measuring cup, and serving utensils.
How long does a chili contest take?: Allow at least 3 to 4 hours for an event with on-site cooking, including setup and judging. Schedule 45 to 60 minutes before opening for the venue check and equipment setup, then reserve 30 to 45 minutes for tasting and scoring.
What do judges need for a chili contest?: Give each judge a score sheet, pen, tasting cups, cutlery, water, and a clear copy of the rules. Prepare one tasting portion per entry for every judge, plus around 10% extra cups and spoons for spills or replacements.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.