Onslow Community Outreach Chili Cook-Off Official Rules & Regulations

Event Date: October 17, 2026
Location: Onslow Community Outreach Parking Lot (1210 Hargett Street, Jacksonville, NC)

Welcome to the Onslow Community Outreach Chili Cook-Off, a fun, family-friendly fundraiser featuring two exciting competition categories:
Judges’ Choice: 1st Place $100 Cash & Plaque | 2nd Place $50 Cash & Plaque | 3rd Place Plaque
People’s Choice: 1st Place $100 & Plaque

All contestants must follow the rules below.

 1. Registration

• All contestants must complete registration before the published deadline.
• Registration fee is $40 per team. Payment is due at time of registration.
• Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Participation is confirmed only after payment is received.

Liability Waiver: Each team member must sign a liability waiver before competing. By participating, contestants acknowledge that cooking and event participation involve risks and agree to release Onslow Community Outreach, its staff, volunteers, sponsors, and partners from liability related to injury, damage, or loss.

 
2. Chili Cooking Rules

NOTE: All coolers and pots will be inspected upon arrival at the event and before you are escorted to your table.  This is to ensure no pre-cooked food comes into the event.

Chili Must Be Cooked Onsite: All chili must be cooked from scratch onsite on event day. “From Scratch” Means:

• Start with raw meat (if using meat)
• No pre-cooked chili
• No marinated meat
• Commercial chili powder is allowed
• “Just add meat” spice kits are not permitted
• Cooks ARE allowed to pre-chop and premeasure all ingredients.
• Cooks can serve to the public, cheese, chopped onions, Fritos, crackers, and other items of your choice.
• OCO will provide the 2oz sampling cups 
   

Contestants Must Provide Their Own:

• Cooking equipment
• Tables
• Tents/canopies
• Utensils
• Food prep supplies
• Fire extinguisher
• OCO will provide a 10x10 cooking space.
   

Approved Heat Sources: 

• Propane
• Wood pellets
• No open flame.

3. Chili Ingredients

No Fillers Allowed. The following are NOT permitted:

• Macaroni
• Rice
• Hominy
• Similar fillers

Allowed Ingredients: These are permitted:

• Beans
• Onions 
• Peppers 
• Tomatoes
• Garlic
• Herbs & spices 

Contestants may choose any chili style, including:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Vegetarian
• Mild
• Spicy 
   

Quantity
Each team should prepare enough chili for:

• Judges’ samples
• Public tasting 
• People’s Choice voting 
   

Recommended minimum: 3–5 gallons 

NOTE: At the conclusion of the chili cook-off, any remaining chili will be available for purchase while supplies last.  Chili will be sold in half-quart and quart-size containers.  A designated staff member will handle all sales.  All proceeds from the leftover chili sales will be donated to Christmas Cheer to support local families during the holiday season. 

 
4. Food Safety & Sanitation

Contestants must prepare chili using safe food handling practices.

Requirements include:

• Gloves when serving ready-to-eat food
• Hand sanitizer
• Cleaning supplies at booth
• Raw meats kept at safe temperatures
• Ingredients properly stored
• Clean cooking area maintained
   

Additional rules:

Cooking areas are subject to inspection 
Failure to meet safety standards may result in disqualification 
No alcohol allowed on event grounds 
 
5. Judging Rules

Each head cook may enter one chili only.

• One judging sample per team
• Judging is blind
• A designated event staff member will visit each chili station to collect a sample for the judges.
• Late entries may be disqualified 
   

Judges’ decisions are final.

 
6. Judges’ Choice Criteria

A panel of judges will score each chili based on:

• Taste
• Aroma
• Texture / Consistency
• Appearance
• Creativity
• The highest-scoring chili wins Judges’ Choice.

 
7. People’s Choice Voting
Event attendees may participate by purchasing a tasting bracelet.

Tasting Bracelet: $5 donation: Attendees may sample participating chili entries and vote for their favorite. Donating attendees will receive one ballot. Only those with a Tasting Bracelet are allowed to cast a vote.

 

Rules:

• One vote per attendee
• Voting takes place at the Event Tent
• Most votes wins People’s Choice 

 
8. Event Schedule

8AM   Parking lot opens for setup (Cooking begins after inspection)
11AM-1PM Public tasting opens
1PM    Judging closes 
2PM   Awards Announced

 
9. Booth Conduct
Teams are encouraged to have fun and decorate their booths. 

Contestants must:

• Display good sportsmanship
• Respect other teams and guests
• Keep booth area clean
• Remove all trash before leaving
• Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification.

 
10. Awards

Awards may include:

• Judges’ Choice Winner (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
• People’s Choice Winner (One Winner)

 
11. Weather Policy: This event is rain or shine unless severe weather or unsafe conditions require cancellation. No refunds will be given and event will not be rescheduled.

 
12. Organizer Rights
Onslow Community Outreach reserves the right to:

• Refuse entry
• Disqualify contestants
• Modify event procedures if needed
• Use event photos/video for promotional purposes 

 
13. Agreement: By registering, participants confirm they have read, understand, and agree to follow all Chili Cook-Off rules and regulations.

 
Questions? Email: events@onslowco.org