Chili Masters

Got the "Best Chili on the Beach"? Wanna win cold, hard cash??? All you need is $25 and at least 10 gallons of ORIGINAL chili per recipe. (Yes, you may enter multiple recipes.)

To enter, fill out your information and pay the $25 entry fee. We will cap the competition at 30 recipes, so sign up ASAP... 

Categories include: Best Overall, Best Vegetarian, Best Theme, Hottest, Most Original, and People’s Choice.

By submitting this application, you agree to all terms and conditions set forth in the "Terms & Conditions" listed below

Welcome Chili Masters!

Got the "Best Chili on the Beach"?

Wanna win over $2,000 in cash and prizes?

Put your chili where your mouth is …

All you need is $25 and at least 10 gallons of ORIGINAL chili per recipe. 

Yes, you may enter multiple recipes, just be sure to bring 10+ gal of each.

We will cap the competition at 30 recipes, so sign up ASAP...

By submitting this application, you agree to all terms and conditions listed below:

OK ... WHAT IS “CHILI”?

Chili is defined as “any kind of meat or meat combination cooked with peppers, spices, beans and other ingredients except rice, pasta, chips, etc.” 

FYI Judges will not accept anything other than chili…

Do not serve it with chips, cheese, sour cream, etc. if you want it to be judged.

What you serve for “Peoples’ Choice” is up to you…

Pre-packaged mixes are not allowed (i.e. Three Alarm Chili Mix, etc.) …

You must assemble and cook your recipe on site 11/2 starting no sooner than 8am.

Exceptions include canned/bottled tomatoes, tomato sauce/paste, peppers and pepper sauce, beverages, broth, grinding or mixing of spices, soaking your beans etc…

YES, you can smoke meats and roast your peppers, etc. in advance.

You may NOT marry ingredients and/or slow cook them prior to 8am 11/2.

NO, you may NOT light any grills, smokers, or burners until 8am 11/2.

NO, we do NOT provide electric hookups.

WHAT TO BRING:

You MUST supply at least 10 gallons of ORIGINAL chili per recipe…

If you enter more than one recipe, then you are responsible for 10 gallons for each recipe…

We will supply chili cups and spoons; everything else is on you …

Bring your own thermometer and hand washing station in accordance with DHEC regulations.

Bring a 10x10 pop-up tent; tables and cleaning supplies/trash bags.

Post a sign identifying your chili as well as any unusual ingredients like nuts, chocolate, game meats or shellfish for those with food allergies.

CHECK IN:

Set up is 6-9am Sunday 11/2/25.

Do NOT show up early and block traffic.

We will show you to your spot; no, you may NOT move spots.

Drop off your gear/move your vehicle BEFORE setting up.

Anyone not on site by 9am will not be allowed in. 

Chili service is 12-5pm; Awards at 5:30pm.

Be packed up and ready to roll by 6pm, not before.

Clean up after yourself or you will not be asked back.

SAMPLING:

To compete, serve 3 oz samples of chili from 12- 5 p.m.

One sample per ticket.

Serve only 3oz samples, in Chilympics cups only.

CATEGORIES INCLUDE:

Best Overall 

Best Vegetarian

Hottest,

Most Original

People’s Choice

Best Theme (Costumes/Decoration)

Winners for every category except People’s Choice are selected by a judges’ panel.

PC will be decided by popular vote - one vote per patron.

Each winner will receive an original Chilympics trophy and cool PRIZES.

Best Overall and People’s Choice winners will receive $1,000 each.

YES, we DOUBLED the Prize Purses this year!!!

We will announce all of our winners on stage at 5:30pm.

BLIND JUDGING:

Our judges will score each recipe anonymously.

We will give you a notecard with your recipe # on one side.

Include this notecard with your samples, but…

Do NOT write your team name or identify yourself.

Simply put the notecard on the tray with your samples.

Do NOT interact with the judges prior to judging.

FYI Judges will not accept anything other than chili…

Competing for the Hottest recipe? Let us know in advance…

AND post a sign explaining how hot your chili is, please!

PEOPLE’S CHOICE:

People’s Choice will be determined by popular vote. 

Patrons may vote ONCE for their favorite recipe in person at the voting booth, with valid ID.

Be sure to display your team #/recipe name in a visible spot

AND direct patrons to the Voting Booth …

Multiple recipes? Make it clear which one is which ...

If you want your votes to count …

DECORUM:

Tailgate, trash talk, and goof off as much as possible, but clean up after yourselves, respect the Zero Footprint Rule, and HAVE A GOOD TIME!!!

Please respect our volunteers, the staff, the community, law enforcement, and the venue.

If you plan on drinking, please drink responsibly and assign a designated driver, carpool, taxi, Uber, or Lyft so everyone gets home safely. 

Thank you and may the Best Chili Win!!!

See you all very soon …

Good Luck!