Attention All Chili, Salsa and Beer Challengers

Get ready for the 19th Annual
Great Petaluma Chili Cook-off, Salsa and Beer Tasting!!!
Saturday, May 7, 2016

Email Laura for more information

Date: Saturday, May 7, 2016, 1 to 5PM. Rain or shine.

Who: Any business, restaurant/caterer, service group or individual may enter. A team can have a maximum of 4 people. More team members can come to help but they will have to pay the admission fee at the gate.  We suggest 10-12 gallons of chili or 3 gallons of salsa be made at home or in a restaurant and brought to the site. Chili can be kept hot in one SMALL, modern electric stove or crock pot, or a chafing dish. No gas burners or fumes inside the building, however you may set these up outside and have your teammates bring batches in for the crock pot inside. We have to limit the amount of electricity used, so please only use modern equipment that pulls a maximum 5 amps. Sterno cookers preferred, discount offered. The outside wall is reserved for teams who want to put up a banner behind them. Ask for the inner circle if you don't really need a wall.

Where: Inside Herzog Hall at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma at Washington and Payran (Directions)

Why: Benefits the Cinnabar Theater Children's Programs. Cinnabar Theater is a 501 c3 non-profit corporation. The Parent Guild makes it possible for any child to participate in the performing arts through scholarships and provides funding for all of Cinnabar's excellent programs for the youth of our community.

Cost: $75 entry fee for either Meat Chili or Veggie Chili or Salsa if entering as a restaurant/caterer or business.

$65 entry fee for for either Meat Chili or Veggie Chili or Salsa if entering as an individual or service organization.

Add $10 to the fee if making either kind of Chili PLUS a Salsa. (2 categories)

Add $20 to the fee if making Meat and Veggie Chili and a Salsa. (3 categories)

**$10 Discount if you don't need electricity for your chili.... Must locate in the inner circle, not outside wall**

Challengers must bring their own supplies (we suggest: 2oz. plastic taster cups available from restaurant suppliers, spoons, napkins, table cloth, etc.) We provide one 3X8 foot table and 4 chairs for free or you can bring your own table and chairs of equivalent size. Only ONE table or space per team.

Judging: There will be 6 "People's Choice" trophies given for Meat Chili, Veggie Chili, Traditional Salsa, Fruit Salsa, Cider and Beer. We will have a panel of distinguished judges who will award "Judges Choice" trophies for Best Restaurant, Business, Service Organization, Individual, Traditional Salsa, Fruit Salsa and Vegetarian Chili, and an overall "Grand Champion Chili". See the 2015 winners.

Other awards will be given for best team costumes, best booth decorations, most spirited team, best salsa and chili display, and any other wacky contest we can create. Chili judging will be by a blind-taste test and all Chili and Salsa will be served to the judges in 2 oz. plastic cups. The judges will have no contact with the Chili or Salsa challengers. Runners-up will also be awarded. One of a kind, collector's trophies and glory to the winners.