Cook Information

Annual New Jersey State Chili & Salsa Cook off Festival

Download Chef's Application Packet
(includes all documents)

Call for Chili Cook-off Photos and Articles

We will have an exhibition in the judging area from past NJ State Cook-offs. We are asking all returning cooks to donate photos to this display. Please label the pictures with the year and a brief description. Mail them to us along with your application.
Also, we will select a few contestants to write feature articles about the Cook-off. If you are interested in being selected, please sign on the appropriate line on the application, and please include your hometown newspaper.

7:30 am

Cooks’ arrival- enter Washington Street via Hooper Avenue

8:30 am

Complimentary Breakfast at judging tent

9:30 am

Cooks’ meeting (Mandatory) at judging tent

10:00 am

Lighting of the stoves for Peoples Choice Chili &
Prep for Chili Verde

11:00 am

Lighting of the stoves for Chili Verde
Prep for Red Chili

2007 ICS Winner Ride of Fame in the Fire Truck!

11:00 am

Festival Begins!
Start stove for Chili Verde & Prep for Red Chili

12:00 noon

Peoples Choice Chili/Salsa tasting begins
Lighting of the stoves for Red Chili

1:00 pm

Turn in ICS Salsa to judging tent

2:00 pm

Turn in Chili Verde to judging tent

3:00 pm

Turn in Red Chili to judging tent

3:30 pm

Peoples Choice ballots collected

4:30 pm

Awards Ceremony

Best Booth 2005 ~
Gunny Mike's Devil Dog Chili

Each cook is allotted a 10’x10’ space street-side.
We suggest the following items for a basic setup: Propane stove only, Class ABC fire extinguisher, tables, chairs, canopy/tent, & decorations.
Have FUN, get creative, we judge on Best Booth!

We have a designated parking lot for your convenience behind the event location. Upon unloading your vehicle, please move your vehicle to the lot located behind Sovereign Bank.

How do you get there? Follow Washington Street going west; make a right turn onto Hyers Street and the first right into the parking lot. (Downtown Parking Map)

Criteria:

Traditional Red Chili ingredients include: meat, gravy and spices. Please see ICS Rules and Regulations for rules specific to your competition chili.
Note that all ICS chili entered for judging must be made on premises at the event. No ingredients may be pre-cooked, with an exception of canned or bottled goods.

Meat may be precut or ground, but not cooked prior to the event.
We encourage all ICS competitors to compete in Peoples Choice too! Bring at least 2 gallons of Peoples' Choice Chili - NO additional fee!

First Place Prize - $1,500 ! ...More...

Entry Fee: $30 plus $42 ICS membership required.

Register now! Download Chef's Application Packet (includes all documents)
Make checks payable to "Allen Consulting" and mail to Chili Cook off • 89 Middletown Road• Holmdel, NJ 07733

Criteria:

Traditional Chili Verde ingredients include: meat, gravy and spices. Please see ICS Rules and Regulations for rules specific to your competition chili.
Note that all ICS chili entered for judging must be made on premises at the event. No ingredients may be pre-cooked, with an exception of canned or bottled goods.
Meat may be precut or ground, but not cooked prior to the event.

2005 ICS Chili Verde Winners
Dave Schulman and Dick Dowling.

First Place Prize - $300 ! ...More...

Entry Fee: $15 plus $42 ICS membership required.

Register now! Download Chef's Application Packet (includes all documents)
Make checks payable to "Allen Consulting" and mail to Chili Cook off • 89 Middletown Road• Holmdel, NJ 07733

Criteria: There are no specific rules as to ingredients or preparation for Salsa contestants. YOU name it, we’ve seen it!

First Place Prize - $500 ! ...More...

Entry Fee: $20 plus $42 ICS membership required.

Register now! Download Chef's Application Packet (includes all documents)

If you compete in an ICS category, you may compete in the same People’s Choice category for NO additional fee!

Criteria: Please see Peoples Choice Rules for a few rules and some competition tips for Peoples' Choice Chili contestants. We also strongly suggest you bring above the minimum 2 gallons of chili required. Cooks in previous years have been known to go through 15 gallons easily before the event is through!

The more chili you make, the more you have for the crowds to sample- and WIN!

First Place Prize - $1,000 ! ...More...

Entry Fee: $30

Register now! Download Chef's Application Packet (includes all documents)
Make checks payable to "Allen Consulting" and mail to Chili Cook off • 89 Middletown Road• Holmdel, NJ 07733

Criteria: Please see Peoples Choice Rules for a few rules and some competition tips for Peoples' Choice Chili contestants. Note that your salsa will be sampled using tortilla chips provided by the Cook off. We also strongly suggest you bring above the minimum 2 gallons required.

The more salsa you make, the more you have for the crowds to sample- and WIN!

First Place Prize - $500 ! ...More...

Entry Fee: $20

Register now! Download Chef's Application Packet (includes all documents)
Make checks payable to "Allen Consulting" and mail to Chili Cook off • 89 Middletown Road• Holmdel, NJ 07733