ChiliPalooza Judging

The quantity of chili set aside for judging is limited so keep your tasting sample down to a spoonful.

JUDGING CRITERIA AND SCORING - A single score takes into consideration the five criteria for scoring chili:

Aroma
Consistency
Appearance
Taste
Aftertaste

1. SCORING - Each cup of chili will be scored on its own merits with a whole number from 0 to 10, 10 being the highest. No pluses (+), minuses (-), fractions (½), or decimals (.5) will be taken into consideration.

2. EACH CHILI MUST BE SCORED - If a judge determines (by aroma, consistency, and/or color) that he/she does not want to taste a chili, that chili still must be given a score.

3. TURN-IN TIME - All judging begins at the same time. No chili will be accepted after judging commences.

4. RANDOMLY SELECT CUPS FOR JUDGING - The head judge will designate an official or officials (e.g., table monitors) to remove and randomly mix the cups of chili taken in prior to presentation to the tables for judging.

5. NUMBER THE CUPS - After the number of chilis per judging table has been determined, an official will mark a letter and number on the side of each judging cup. This process will continue until all cups turned in are properly marked and taken to the appropriate judging tables. (Example: With two judging tables A and B the cups are marked A1, A2, ..., B1, B2, etc. NOTE: The secret number taped to the side of the cup will remain unknown to the judges and official(s) writing the judging numbers on the cup sides.)

6. RENUMBER THE CUPS AFTER EACH LEVEL OF JUDGING - The judging designations (letter and number) on the cup sides must be changed at each level of judging. After each table has been tallied and the higher scoring chilis identified and removed for the next level of judging, each table monitor will immediately mark a large, highly visible "X" on the side and on the lid of each judging cup not forwarded to the next level of judging. Chilis to progress to the next level will be marked by an official in the manner prescribed in step 6.

7. TASTING CHILI - Beverages and bite-sized snacks (e.g., crackers, cheese, celery, grapes, etc.) must be supplied to judges to allow them to cleanse their palates between tastes of chili.

a. SANITATION - A new spoon must be used for each taste of chili.

b. RETASTING A CHILI - A judge may not re-taste a chili after it has been passed to the next judge.

Peoples Choice Awards

Chili Tasters will be provided with a tasting kit containing a slip of paper with a lizzard on it and saying People’s Choice. This is to be used to cast a vote for the chili liked the best. The Chili that receives the most votes will be declared winner of the People’s Choice. In the event of a tie we will revert to the judged chili scores. Of the tied entries the one that had the highest score in the judged event will be the winner of the tie. Feel free to cajole and connive with the tasters to get them to vote for your chili!

Table Presentation Awards

The taster’s kits will also contain a slip of paper with Larry Lizzard on it that say “Table Presentation Vote” on them. This is to be used to cast a vote for the best decorated table layout. The table that receives the most votes will be declared winner of the Table Presentation. In the event of a tie we will revert to a show of hands to with the winner being the table with the most support. Feel free to cajole and connive with the tasters to get them to vote for your table!