Comments:

BrianR - 2007-12-14 00:26:09
20 different types of chili is too many.
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Ypsidixit - 2007-12-14 11:35:01
Well, I imagine you would not have to eat each one. Perhaps just choose 5 and vote on those. On the other hand, if you just try a spoonful, 20 spoonfuls of chili isn't all that much. I personally hope that there's a way to do this that doesn't use a lot of disposeable containers for each sample. Shall we all bring our Army Surplus Aluminum Mess Kits to the event? If so, I'll have to clean mine off; it's serving potting soil duty in the garage.
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Nancy - 2007-12-15 17:15:31
I think it would be nice to have some sort of sign explaining the Chili Challenge at each store and maybe another sign that says "get your Chili here". I found it hard last year to figure out where the chili was at each establishment and "what the rules were". I kind of felt like the coupons and stuff we're all that useful, but I like the idea of some kind of goody bag. Maybe with the recipes in it? Or something else that is fun? Hope I can make it this year!
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Steve Pierce - 2007-12-15 19:14:08

Well if you are going to have a chili cook-off you have to follow the rules. The good folks at the Planning Department (they are the maker of all rules) proposed the following legislation which was adopted by City Council after the controversy surrounding last years cook off.

The following rules and regulations for cooks at any Ypsilanti Chili Cook-off are as follows:

1. Traditional Red Chili is defined by the Ypsilanti Planning Department as any kind of meat or combination of meats,cooked with red chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients, with the exception of BEANS and PASTA which are strictly forbidden.

2. Chili Verde is defined by the Ypsilanti Planning Department as any kind of meat or combination of meats, cooked with green chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients, with the exception of BEANS and PASTA which are strictly forbidden.

3. Salsa: there are no rules as to the ingredients or how to prepare your Salsa.It may be prepared at home and brought to the site that day, or it may be store bought and brought to the site, or it may be prepared at the Cookoff.

4. No ingredient may be pre-cooked in any way prior to the commencement of the official cookoff. The only exceptions are canned or bottled tomatoes, tomato sauce, peppers, pepper sauce, beverages, broth and grinding and/or mixing of spices. Meat may be treated, pre-cut or ground. MEAT MAY NOT BE PRE-COOKED. All other ingredients must be chopped or prepared during the preparation period.

5. You must be an Ypsilanti resident or business member to compete in any Ypsilanti Chili competition including Traditional Red Chili, Chili Verde, and Salsa. You must be at least 18 years old.

6. The cooking period will be a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 4 hours. The exact starting and ending of the cooking period is to be announced by each local sponsoring organization. Cooking during entire cooking period is at the sole discretion of the contestant.

7. A representative of the sponsoring organization shall conduct a contestant�s meeting, at which time final instructions are to be given and questions answered, no later than 1 hour prior to the official starting time of the cookoff.

8. Contestants are responsible for supplying all of their own cooking utensils, etc. The sponsors of the cookoff will provide an area for each contestant and in some instances stoves and/or electrical outlets.

9. Each contestant must cook a minimum of two quarts of competition chili prepared in one pot, which will be submitted for judging.

10. Contestants will be permitted to sell or participate in People�s Choice Chili with the approval of the cookoff chairperson and in compliance with State and local agencies. It is at the discretion of each contestant if he or she wants to participate in People�s Choice, unless the sponsoring organization requires People�s Choice Chili in lieu of the entry fee (2 gal maximum) or in addition to the entry fee (1 gal maximum) may be required, but cooks should not be limited to a specific amount. Contestants may elect to pay a cash entry fee rather than provide People�s Choice Chili. PEOPLES CHOICE CHILI MUST HAVE BEANS OR PASTA.

11. Each contestant will be assigned a contestant�s number by the Chief Scorekeeper and be given an official 32 oz. judging cup. Each contestant should verify that the number on the bottom of their cup is the same as their assigned contestant number. Each contestant is responsible to deliver their cup, which must be filled to the bottom of the cup�s rim, to the judging area at the official time for judging.

12. Judges will be told they should vote for the chili they like best based on the following major considerations: good flavor, texture of the meat, consistency, blend of spices, aroma, and color.

13. The decisions of the Chief Judge and the Ypsilanti Planning Department shall be final.

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