First Annual Suzhou Chili Cook-off November 14th

Suzhou Chili Cook-off

Entry Form for Suzhou Zapata’s 1st Annual Suzhou Chili Cook-off

Saturday, November 14 ,2009

8 a.m. to 10:30 am Team Entry, set-up and start cooking

Noon – 5 p.m. Public Entry and Tasting

Rules/Information for Participating Teams

1. Entry fee is 70 rmb per team member (includes one free official cook-off  t-shirt each).
2. Teams can be sponsored by a corporation, restaurant, or individuals and should consist of one Head Cook, and up to three other members.
3. Participation will be limited to the first 15 teams that register and pay
4. Honors and/or awards will be presented for Best Chili (1st, 2nd, 3rd), People’s Choice, and Best Booth Theme/Showmanship.
5. Teams can cook chili onsite on the morning of Sept 26th and/or prepare ahead of time; pre-prep can take place at home, such as dicing onions, tomatoes, etc., or grinding/slicing peppers and spices and all cooking, browning, sautéing can take place prior to arriving or completed on-site.
6. Teams must arrive between 8 am and 10:30 am to set-up and begin cooking.  Each team should prepare a large pot of chili ( Bigger the better)
7. Beans are allowed but please no macaroni, rice, hominy, or other similar ingredients.
8. Sanitation – Cooks are to prepare and cook chili in as sanitary a manner as possible.
9. ONE CHILI PER TEAM – Each head cook is responsible for preparing one pot of chili that he or she intends to be judged and turning in one judging cup from that pot. No more than one judging sample can be taken from any one team.  Head cook will be required to taste chili in front of judge and/or referee.
10. You will need to bring your own cooking tools, such as skillets if needed, chili pot, serving ladle, chopping knives, butcher boards, etc.
11. Each team will have a table plus a table top electric burner. People can bring their own burner but need to advise ahead of time (Propane is allowed on balcony areas only).
12. You will also be responsible for decorating your booth based on your theme (optional but required to compete for Best Booth Theme).
13. Official judging will take place using a blind tasting process.
14. Chili will be judged based on aroma, consistency, color, taste and aftertaste.
15. The People’s Choice Award will be decided by the public.

Entry form and questions regarding event & rules can be emailed to chili@zapatas-suzhou.com. Please drop off entry forms with entry fee at Zapata’s.