Official Rules

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ALL SMOKE ON THE WATER CHILI COOK-OFF CONTESTANTS MUST BRING AT LEAST TWO (2) GALLONS OF "PEOPLE'S CHOICE" PUBLIC SAMPLING CHILI, FOR SAMPLING BETWEEN NOON AND 3PM.
The two gallons of "People's Choice" public sampling chili MUST contain either beans or pasta to clearly distinguish it from competition chili.

ADDENDUM TO OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS SPECIFIC TO THE SMOKE ON THE WATER CHILI COOK-OFF:
We will provide tents, tables and chairs to the contestants. Two cooks/cooking teams will share a 10x10 tent. If you wish to share a tent with someone, please contact us as soon as possible. Contestants will be given tent numbers & locations at registration.

Local fire regulations require a 5lb. (or higher) fire extinguisher in each cooking area. All contestants are to bring their own fire extinguishers. All vehicles used during set-up must be off Kanawha Boulevard by 9:00am. The starting and ending times of the Smoke on the Water "official cooking period" will be indicated by the sounding of extremely loud fire engine sirens - please be prepared to hold your ears!!

Beer will be permitted in the cooking areas during the event this year! All contestants in the hot Pepper Eating Contest must sign a liability waiver form prior to consuming any hot peppers or any hot pepper products.

Official Contestant Rules & Regulations

The following rules and regulations for cooks at the World's Championships, State, Regional and District Cook-Offs are as follows:

1. Traditional Red Chili is defined by the International Chili Society 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.
2. Chili Verde is defined by the International Chili Society 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.
3. Salsa: there are no rules as to the ingredients or how to prepare your Salsa.It may be prepared at home and brought to the site that day, or it may be store bought and brought to the site, or it may be prepared at the Cookoff.
4. No ingredient may be pre-cooked in any way prior to the commencement of the official cookoff. The only exceptions are canned or bottled tomatoes, tomato sauce, peppers, pepper sauce, beverages, broth and grinding and/or mixing of spices. Meat may be treated, pre-cut or ground. MEAT MAY NOT BE PRE-COOKED. All other ingredients must be chopped or prepared during the preparation period.
5. You must be an ACTIVE ICS member to compete in any ICS competition including Traditional Red Chili, Chili Verde, and Salsa. You must be at least 18 years old.
6. The cooking period will be a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 4 hours. The exact starting and ending of the cooking period is to be announced by each local sponsoring organization. Cooking during entire cooking period is at the sole discretion of the contestant.
7. A representative of the sponsoring organization shall conduct a contestant’s meeting, at which time final instructions are to be given and questions answered, no later than 1 hour prior to the official starting time of the cookoff.
8. Contestants are responsible for supplying all of their own cooking utensils, etc. The sponsors of the cookoff will provide an area for each contestant and in some instances stoves and/or electrical outlets.
9. Each contestant must cook a minimum of two quarts of competition chili prepared in one pot, which will be submitted for judging.
10. Contestants will be permitted to sell or participate in People’s Choice Chili with the approval of the cookoff chairperson and in compliance with State and local agencies. It is at the discretion of each contestant if he or she wants to participate in People’s Choice, unless the sponsoring organization requires People’s Choice Chili in lieu of the entry fee (2 gal maximum) or in addition to the entry fee (1 gal maximum) may be required, but cooks should not be limited to a specific amount. Contestants may elect to pay a cash entry fee rather than provide People’s Choice Chili. PEOPLES CHOICE CHILI MUST HAVE BEANS OR PASTA.
11. Each contestant will be assigned a contestant’s number by the Chief Scorekeeper and be given an official 32 oz. ICS judging cup. Each contestant should verify that the number on the bottom of their cup is the same as their assigned contestant number. Each contestant is responsible to deliver their cup, which must be filled to the bottom of the cup’s rim, to the judging area at the official time for judging.
12. Judges will be told they should vote for the chili they like best based on the following major considerations: good flavor, texture of the meat, consistency, blend of spices, aroma, and color.
13. The decisions of the Chief Judge shall be final.