Judges
The discerning palates behind the Coral Gables Chili Cookoff awards
Meet the Judges
Each year, the Coral Gables Chili Cookoff assembles a panel of judges to evaluate chili entries across multiple award categories. The 2017 judging panel brought together community leaders and chili aficionados who sampled every entry with care — assessing flavor, texture, aroma, and overall impression.
How Judging Works
Judges taste each chili blind, without knowing which competitor prepared it. They score entries across the award categories, including Best Overall, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, Vegetarian, People's Choice Award, Judge's Favorite, and Best Decorated Booth.
Interested in competing? Review the Rules & Entry page for guidelines on how to enter your chili and what the judges look for.
Beyond the blind tasting itself, the judging panel plays a vital role in upholding the integrity and excitement of the Coral Gables Chili Cookoff each October. Judges come from diverse backgrounds — some are seasoned culinary professionals, while others are devoted chili enthusiasts and respected community leaders — yet all share a genuine passion for great food and festive community spirit. Their careful evaluations across categories like Best Overall, Vegetarian, and People's Choice help ensure that every competitor, from first-time home cooks to experienced teams, has a fair chance to shine. As the event continues to grow year after year, the dedication of these volunteer judges remains essential to making the cookoff a beloved Halloween tradition in Ponce Circle Park, where families gather to enjoy live music, craft brews, and the friendly rivalry of the city's finest chili.