Ajijic Chili Cookoff 2010

Congratulations
People's Choice Winners!

We had some great Chili this year!

PEOPLE’S CHOICE Chili & Salsa Competitions Located in the Ribera de Chapala in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico (see map)

Three Categories--THREE TOP WINNERS!!

SALSA (a maximum of 10 entrants accepted) Friday, February 26, 2010 Cooks May Enter at 8:30 AM Cookoff Grounds Open at 11 AM People’s Choice judging begins at 1:30 PM Awards Announcement 4:30-5 PM. More...
Click here for 2010 Entrants for the Salsa Competition

HOME COOKED CHILI (a maximum of 10 entrants accepted) Saturday, February 27, 2010 Cooks May Enter at 8:30 AM Cookoff Grounds Open at 11 AM People’s Choice judging begins at 1:30 PM Awards Announcement 4:30-5 PM. More...
Click here for 2010 Entrants for the Home Cooked Chili Competition!

CHEFS' CHILI* (a maximum of 10 entrants accepted) Sunday, February 28, 2010 Cooks May Enter at 8:30 AM Cookoff Grounds Open at 11 AM People’s Choice judging begins at 1:30 PM Awards Announcement at 4:30-5 PM. More...
(*Professional Chefs)
Click here for 2010 Entrants for the Chef's Chili Competition!

Entry Fee: $200 pesos per entrant (goes to Mexican National Champion Chili Cookoff charities)

Description: There are no restrictions on recipe ingredients as long as CHILI is involved!! It can be red, green, Tex-Mex or even chili with spaghetti—really! So select your favorite chili or salsa recipe, gather your ingredients, don your chef's apron and prepare for some HOT competition!!

Physical Location: Each participant will be provided with a cooking / preparation surface (stove & gas) table and folding chairs.

Each participant should bring their own pots, pans, utensils, spices, chili, can openers, knives, etc. and whatever other kitchen supplies may be needed.

Your tent location for cooking and serving will be selected by random drawing. Electricity will not be available. Each area is approximately 4 meters x 4 meters.

Cook Area Decorating Prize, New This Year! This year we will be judging the cook area decorations and awarding a 1,000 peso prize to the best decorated area. This Prize will be awarded on Sunday afternoon, after the judges have an opportunity to see all 30 areas. (10 each day) We are hoping it will add a little more fun to the event. You and your crew may decorate your area in any fashion you desire, so long as it is not offensive to any attendees.

General Information for People’s Choice Contestants

Winners: The People’s Choice Chili & Salsa Champion will be the contestant who receives the most ballots cast by the public. Ballots are contained in the tasting kits sold the day of the event. Tasting kits may be purchased (by the public) from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM at the entrance to the People's Choice Tasting Line (located just below the water park). The more chili you have, the more you can give out, thus increasing your chances of getting votes.

Hot, Hot, Hot? Your chili or salsa 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! Having a unique chili or salsa 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.

The People’s Choice Salsa Competition is open to EVERYONE. The rules on salsa are: There are no rules. Salsa can be made at the Cookoff (a great show gets you votes), made at home, bought from a store, stolen from your neighbor-- whatever it takes to create your salsa.

Salsa tasting will begin at 1:30 PM on Friday, February 26 and ends at 3:30 PM. Anticipate in excess of 300 samples. Be prepared for more, if necessary. Please serve salsa only to those people displaying an official ballot.

We will provide all chips and tasting cups at each booth for the People’s Choice judging. Each participant will need to provide utensils for serving. Winners will be announced between 4:30 - 5 PM the day of the event. Please plan on attending the awards presentation, awards and pictures.

The People’s Choice Home-Cook Chili Competition is open to everyone with the exception of professional chefs who will compete in the Professional Chef Competition on Sunday.

There are few rules so far as the chili ingredients are concerned. Any form of chili may be used in preparation. Chili can be made at the Cookoff (a great show gets you votes), or prepared in advance. We suggest a minimum of 3 gallons of chili, but be prepared for more. The more you serve, the more votes you receive.

Tasting will begin at 1:30 PM on Saturday, February 27th and ends at 3:30 PM. Last year over 300 tasting kits were sold and we anticipate even more this year. During judging, only chili may be served. No garnishes, chips or beverages may be served to the voters. They will have an opportunity to obtain bottled water and beer at the beginning of the serving line. Please ... serve only chili. Winners in this competition will be announced between 4:30 - 5 PM the day of the event. Please plan on attending the awards presentations, awards and pictures..

The People’s Choice Professional Chef’s Competition is open to any chef in a food-serving establishment. Please refer to the Home-Cooked Chili Competition information above for rules. Chili tasting will begin at 1:30 PM on Sunday, February 28th and and ends at 3:30 PM. Last year over 300 tasting kits were sold during the restaurant competition and we anticipate even more this year. Winners will be announced at the end of the competition and vote count. Please plan on attending the awards presentations, including awards and pictures.

For questions, please call: Don Howse or Jim Hussin at 376-766-5784 or email to:donandjim@prodigy.net.mx