RED APRON COOKOFF - FEBRUARY 25, 2012
Contact: Lili Coleman
843-757-8000 (office)
843-714-4304 (mobile)
CALL FOR CHILI COOKS
REGISTER TODAY FOR THE FIRST AREA
INTERNATIONAL CHILI SOCIETY COOKOFF
IN BLUFFTON, SC
Bluffton, SC, January 24, 2012—Mark your calendar and register TODAY to participate in the First Annual RED APRON CHILI COOKOFF, the first sanctioned chili cookoff to be held in Hilton Head/Bluffton SC on Saturday, February 25. This first annual event will be held at Tanger 2 Outlet Center Hilton Head.
The RED APRON CHILI COOKOFF will benefit Bluffton Self Help, Inc. a United Way Agency and is named to represent the Bluffton Self Help, Inc red apron logo. This first year event has openings for more than 20 cooks in each of the four plus “People’s Choice” where the spectators pick a winner. The sanctioned categories are The Competitive Red, The Chili Verde, Salsa and the Homestyle Chili Cookoff.
The COMPETITIVE RED sanctioned chili cookoff follows the rules of the ICS and is defined 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.
The CHILI VERDE sanctioned chili cookoff follows the rules of the ICS and is defined 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.
In the SALSA category the salsa must be homemade by the contestant whose name with ICS number appears on the Contestant application. It may be brought to the site that day or it may be prepared at the Cookoff.
The HOMESTYLE Chili Cookoff (THE NEW CATEGORY) is defined as the cook’s favorite combination of ingredients resulting in a dish seasoned with chili peppers and spices. There is no restriction or requirements as to the ingredients, but the entry must be homemade and have chili pepper flavor.
All sanctioned events feature cooking on site while spectators watch and each cook must make 32 ounces of chili for judging. Spectators will have the opportunity to taste the “People’s Choice” entries, prepared on site or brought to the cookoff, while the cooks prepare their official entries for the four different categories. Cooks participating in the four categories have the option to bring an extra pot of chili with beans to also enter the “People’s Choice” unsanctioned competition. Judges will be selected from local celebrity chefs and personalities.
Cooks interested in entering only the “People’s Choice” category and not the sanctioned categories (Red Traditional, Chili Verde, Salsa and Homestyle) can do so. The “People’s Choice” category will be voted on by the spectators and features local restaurants. For more information on this category, contact Lili Coleman at Bluffton Self Help.
The four sanctioned categories, sanctioned by the International Chili Society (ICS) follow all the rules and regulations set by ICS and cooks (both amateur and professional) must be members or join the Chili Society prior to the cookoff. The ICS is the official organization that sanctions chili cookoffs. These events are worldwide and benefit charities or nonprofit organizations. All winners of ICS sanctioned cookoffs qualify to compete for cash prizes and awards at the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff. The ICS is one of the largest food contests/festival organizations in the world. Their sole purpose is to promote, develop and improve the preparation and appreciation of true chili and to determine each year the World’s Champion Chili through officially sanctioned and regulated competitive cookoffs.
The cooks in all the categories are provided space to cook and are required to supply their own tent and cooking equipment including a one-pound propane stove, plus follow all the rules and regulations outlined by ICS. There is no access to electricity on the cooking sites and a limited water supply.
The winner of the Competitive Red is guaranteed a spot in the South Carolina Chili Championship to be held in Belton, SC in April and if less than 20 cooks participate, the Last Chance Chili Cookoff in 2012. If more than 20 cooks enter the competition, the winner is eligible to compete in the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff. The World’s Championship Chili Cookoff is to be held on Magic Island in Charleston, West Virginia on October 5-7, 2012.
If ten or more cooks participate in the Chili Verde and Salsa categories, the winner progresses on to the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff as well. Ten or more in the Homestyle category will qualify the winner to compete in the ICS World’s Championship Homestyle Chili Cookoff.
The official hotel for this event is the Hilton Garden Inn located off Highway 278 in Bluffton across from the Tanger II outlets. A special rate has been set for this event.
The cost to enter the cookoff is $35 per cooking team per category, plus any ICS membership fees.
Sponsors to date include Bluffton Today and Island Packet. Additional sponsorships are available.
For more information about the cookoff and to participate contact Lili Coleman at Bluffton Self Help, Inc., on line at lili@blufftonselfhelp.org or call Bluffton Self Help at 843-757-8000. Registration will also be available at Blufftonselfhelp.org.
BLUFFTON SELF HELP, INC.
Bluffton Self Help, Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Bluffton, SC and was founded in 1987. The mission of the organization is to help those individuals in the greater Bluffton area who are in need of short-term, documented financial assistance and to also provide them with the most fundamental needs, such as FREE food and clothing, while urging them to become more self-reliant. In the past year the agency has assisted over 22,000 clients.
UNITED WAY OF THE LOWCOUNTRY
United Way of the Lowcountry campaign contributions fund 32 partner agencies and 42 programs in Beaufort and Jasper counties. Those partner agencies focus on one or more of United Way’s priorities to achieve better HEALTH, EDUCATION, SHELTER, NUTRITION and INCOME in Beaufort and Jasper counties. ###
