• The People’s Choice category is open to all competitors, either individuals or teams.
• Your People’s Choice Chili recipe can contain any kind of meat or combination of meats, chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients, but MUST have beans or pasta.
• A minimum of 1 gallon of chili or 1 gallon of salsa is required to enter People’s Choice categories. We recommend that you make 15 gallons of chili. The more you make, the better chance you have of winning!

• You do not have to be a member of the International Chili Society to compete in the People’s Choice category.
• New this year: Your People’s Choice Chili and Salsa must be made in a licensed commercial kitchen or prepared on site at the Cook-off. Please see the Ocean County Board of Health’s requirements.
• Contestants are responsible for supplying all of their own cooking utensils, including a fire extinguisher. Contestants must also supply their own tent, table, chairs and booth decorations. The Cook-off committee will provide a 10' x 10' space for each contestant, as well as cups and spoons for tasting the chilies, and chips for tasting salsa.
• Contestants MUST turn in Ballot Canister to Town Hall by 4:00.

Is it your first time competing??? Here are some tips!!

• The People’s Choice Chili Champion will be the contestant who receives the most ballots cast by the public. Ballots, cups and spoons are contained in the tasting kits sold the day of the event.
• For the Salsa competition, we recommend you pre-scoop salsa into the tortilla chips we provide. Place the chips on a tray. Ballots are contained in the tasting kits sold the day of the event.
• The more chili you have, the more you can give out, thus increasing your chances at getting votes.
• Having a unique chili name, a festive booth and showmanship can draw the public to your booth for tasting. It’s a fact that the best booths get the most votes. Have fun, bring family & friends!
• Your chili should be original enough to stand out from the rest but not so hot that you scorch the palate of the public. Any one can make it hot but it takes skill to make it taste great!