Rules & Entry

Competition Guidelines

The Coral Gables Chili Cookoff welcomes chili enthusiasts of all stripes to bring their best recipes and compete for top honors. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or a first-time cook, the rules are designed to keep things fair, fun, and flavorful.

Entry Requirements

• All chili must be prepared off-site and brought to Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park ready to serve.
• Competitors should provide enough chili for public tasting and judging portions.
• Each entry must be accompanied by a list of ingredients for allergen awareness.
• Teams and individuals are both welcome to enter.

Competition Rules

• Chili is defined as a dish consisting primarily of meat, peppers, and spices. Vegetarian entries are welcome in the Vegetarian category.
• No pre-packaged or commercial chili mixes may be used — all entries must be made from scratch.
• Competitors are responsible for their own cooking equipment, serving utensils, and booth setup.
• Entries are judged on taste, aroma, consistency, color, and overall impression.
• Judges' decisions are final across all award categories.

Award Categories

Competitors vie for recognition in the following categories:

• Best Overall
• 2nd Place
• 3rd Place
• Vegetarian
• People's Choice Award
• Judge's Favorite
• Best Decorated Booth

For more on how entries are evaluated, visit the Judges page. Interested in supporting the event as a sponsor? See Sponsors & Sponsor Sign-Up.