Sandhills Chili Cookoff

North Platte Sunrise Rotary Club
PO Box 1963
North Platte, NE 69103
Calling All Cooks!
On Sunday, June 21st , the North Platte Sunrise Rotary Club will be hosting the 2015
"Sandhills Chili Competition" at the Wild West Arena as a part of the NEBRASKAland DAYS
Celebration.
All teams of Chili Chefs will compete on a single "fun" level with numerous prizes being awarded
including Judges’ and People’s Choice, BEST DECORATED and HOTTEST CHILI. Each team
is asked to make at least six gallons,or 2 roasters of chili, which will be served after the judging
to approximately 300 individuals of the general public as part of the chili cook-off format.
Bowls/spoons, drinks, crackers, and dessert will be provided with the chili.
The method of cooking is up to your team. If you need electrical outlets, be sure to bring
extension cords and plug strips. You will need one or two 8 ft. banquet tables or another kind of
work area and appropriate cooking devices, and are encouraged to decorate your 10 by 10 ft.
area to compete for the “Best Decorated” booth award.
The North Platte Sunrise Rotary Club will do our best to make this event a positive and
enjoyable part of the NEBRASKAland DAYS Celebration, but we cannot do it without good
teams. Whether or not your team has competed before, please consider your participation in
order to help make this year’s contest another big success. We usually have about 10 to 15
teams of Chili Chefs - made up of people wanting to have a fantastic time. If you would like to
issue a specific challenge to another team, let us know and our judges can referee the duel and
decide the winner.
A registration fee is charged to compete in the "Sandhills Chili Competition." Please return
the registration form and enclose a $30.00 check, payable to NEBRASKAland DAYS to:
NEBRASKAland DAYS – PO Box 706, North Platte, NE 69103
The entry fee includes tickets for team members (up to 4) and one official T-shirt (new this
year). If you would like additional shirts, you can purchase them for $10 each. Please indicate
sizes on your entry form. An official registration form is enclosed, along with the rules for the
“Sandhills Chili Competition.” Please submit your application with payment as soon as
possible; we will accept entries we receive prior to June 17th , at 5:00 pm.
If you have any questions, feel free to call!
Sincerely,
Matt Pederson
North Platte Sunrise Rotary
308/520-3299 or 308/532-9744
OFFICIAL RULES FOR COOKS
1.
True chili is defined as any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with chili
peppers and/or various other spices. Other ingredients such as beans and vegetables
may be used at the discretion of the cook.
2.
Ingredients may be pre-cooked or treated prior to the preparation period. The main
ingredients should not be mixed/combined until the cooking period begins at 8:00 A.M.
(For example, meat may be browned, but cannot be cooked with other ingredients.)
3.
The cooking period will be approximately 2 ½ hours, with Judges’ Choice Competition
beginning no earlier than 10:30 A.M.
4.
Contestants are permitted to set up their equipment, decorations, and other facilities any
time after 8:30 A.M. on the day of the cook-off.
5.
Contestants are permitted to have a maximum of a head cook and three assistants in
the cooking area. Any other "supporters" should not be involved in the cooking process.
6.
Contestants are responsible for supplying all of their own cooking utensils, serving
ladles, extension cords, table(s), decorations, etc. Electrical outlets are limited at
the arena. We encourage creative ways to cook your chili. Bring a decorated can or
other receptacle for the public to use when voting for their favorite chili (for the People's
Choice award).
7.
Sunrise Rotary provides all bowls, spoons, tea/water, and crackers and deserts to the
"paying customers" who come to sample your chili.
8.
Each contestant must cook a minimum of 6 gallons or 2 roasters of chili... More would
be appreciated!
9.
Each Team will be assigned a contestant number by the chairman of the cook-off teams.
The number will be known only to the chairman. The chairman will bring containers to
each booth to be used to present the chili to the judges. The contestant number will be
the only way the judges have to identify their final selection for "Judges’ Choice." Bribery
is not allowed!
10.
Teams are encouraged to bring a "support" team. Supporters must purchase an
admission ticket in order to eat or to vote for their favorite team for the "People's Choice"
award.
11.
Demonstrations throughout the spectator area are permitted. Support teams should
respect the "space" of others who purchased tickets to participate.
12.
Any team that has special requirements or plans is asked to notify the hosting
organization (Sunrise Rotary) at least three days in advance.
13.
All decisions by the Judges will be considered final!
Thank you for your participation!
To Prospective Chili Cook-Off Participants:
Thank you for your interest in competing in the 2015 Chili Cook-off Competition hosted by
the Sunrise Rotary Club of North Platte. Enclosed you will find an entry form. This letter is to
inform you of some of the particulars to this event.
 Make the $30 entry fee payable to Nebraskaland Days
 Each team will receive one T-Shirt
 Contestants may arrive at 8:00 am to set up.
o Ingredients may be chopped, sliced, diced or browned ahead of time , but
may NOT be combined prior to 8:00 am
o Each Entry will have a space with power, but you must bring
 Table(s)-8 foot are preferable
 Roasters and/or crockpots-enough to make a minimum of 6 gallons
 Prepping and serving utensils-can openers, knives, cutting boards,
ladles etc
 Extension cords
 Hand sanitizer
 Chairs for your team
 Trophies are:
o Best Tasting-determined by independent judges-coercion not allowed
o Hottest-determined by independent judges-coercion not allowed
o Fan Favorite-determined by attending patrons-coercion, bribery, begging and
pleading highly encouraged
o Best Booth-determined by a Rotarian Group-based on decorations, theme,
music, and any other ways to make your booth festive
 Specific Chili Rules:
o Chili must reach and maintain 135 degrees fahrenheit
o Bowls should be inverted and silverware stored in a container
o Cold ingredients should remain cold-such as cheese
o Hair coverings and gloves should be in place when preparing food-hats are
accepted
 The judging will begin between 10:30-11:00, awards will be handed out between 1:001:30, and the event will end around 2:00 pm.
This is an event that is fun and should be participated in as such. If you have any questions,
or know if any others that would like to participate please feel free to contact me at 5203299 or 532-9744. Thank you for your time and we look forward to seeing you on June 21st !
Matt Pederson
North Platte Sunrise Rotary
NEBRASKAland DAYS
“SANDHILLS CHILI COMPETITION”
June 21, 2015
HOSTED BY:
NORTH PLATTE SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB
OFFICIAL CONTESTANT APPLICATION FORM
CREATIVE TEAM NAME________________________________________________
CONTESTANT’S NAME____________________________________T-Shirt Size________
BUSINESS (If Sponsored)________________________________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________PHONE_________________
COOKING TEAM:
1. NAME________________________________________
2. NAME________________________________________
3. NAME________________________________________
Approximately how many people should we expect on your support team? _________
Would you like to purchase additional official T-shirts for $10 each? Yes
Please indicate the number of each size you would like to purchase:
No
Small____ Medium_____ Large_____ X Large_____ XX Large_____
Enclosed is my $30.00 registration fee (payable to Nebraskaland Days)
The above information is correct to the best of my knowledge. I have read the official
rules and hereby agree to abide by such rules and regulations.
Signed: ________________________________________Date:____________________
WE ISSUE A SPECIFIC CHALLENGE TO: _________________________________