Skip to content

4th Annual
SANTA ANITA
CHILI COOK OFF

 Chili cooks “Light your Fires” and join us at iconic

Santa Anita Park on February 23, 2019,

for a chili competition unlike any other!

Benefiting the Foothill Unity Center

With the stunning San Gabriel Mountain range set as the backdrop and the thrill of thoroughbred horse races all afternoon, this one-day doubleheader is sure to heat things up! As an International Chili Society (ICS)  this event will feature competitions in: ICS – Red Chili, ICS – Green Chili, ICS – Homestyle, People’s Choice, and Most Tasted. Thousands of dollars in prize money and trophies will be awarded to the winners and the chance to qualify* for the ICS World Championships.

*team count determines qualification. Prize amounts will be based on the number of entries.

This event will be held rain or shine.

Santa Anita Chili Cook Off 2019
Santa Anita Chili Cook Off 2019
Santa Anita Chili Cook Off 2019

Competition Details

ICS Red Chili – $35 Entry + 2 Gallons of PC Chili

*non-ICS members must join ICS prior to the competition (click here to register for ICS)

Cash Prizes based on the number of entries: 
1st – $250 (<22 cooks)

or $500 (22+ cooks) 

2nd – $150 (<22 cooks)

or $300 (22+ cooks) 

3rd – $100 (<22 cooks)

or $150 (22+ cooks) 

ALL ICS CONTESTANTS must prepare two gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC).

Contestants may prepare four gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC) to waive entry fee in ONE category.

Contestants may prepare six gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC) to waive entry fee in ALL categories.

ICS Verde – $30 Entry + 2 Gallons of PC Chili

*non-ICS members must join ICS prior to the competition (click here to register for ICS)

Cash Prizes based on the number of entries: 
1st – $150 (<11 cooks)

or $250 (11+ cooks) 

2nd – $100 (<11 cooks)

or $200 (11+ cooks) 

3rd – Honorable Mention (<11 cooks)

or $100 (11+ cooks) 

ALL ICS CONTESTANTS must prepare two gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC).

Contestants may prepare four gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC) to waive entry fee in ONE category.

Contestants may prepare six gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC) to waive entry fee in ALL categories.

ICS Homestyle – $35 Entry + 2 Gallons of PC Chili

*non-ICS members must join ICS prior to the competition (click here to register for ICS)

Cash Prizes based on the number of entries: 
1st – $50 (<11 cooks)

or $100 (11+ cooks) 

2nd – Honorable Mention (<11 cooks)

or $75 (11+ cooks) 

3rd – Honorable Mention (<11 cooks)

or $40 (11+ cooks) 

ALL ICS CONTESTANTS must prepare two gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC).

Contestants may prepare four gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC) to waive entry fee in ONE category.

Contestants may prepare six gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC) to waive entry fee in ALL categories.

People’s Choice

Prizes:

1st – $100 (25 cooks or less)

or $150 (26+ cooks)

2nd – $50 (25 cooks or less)

or $100 (26+ cooks)

3rd – Honorable Mention

MOST TASTED

Prizes:
1st – $50

Tentative Event Timeline:

Please verify all times upon arrival.

Saturday February 23, 2019

6:00 AMCheck-in/Booth Set Up -
Teams will be assigned a specific load in time via email
7:00 AMPC Prep/Cook Begins
8:30 AMCooks Meeting
9:00 AMICS - Verde Prep Begins
10:00 AMICS - Homestyle Prep Begins
10:00 AMICS - Verde Light Your Fires!
10:30 AMGates Open to Public
11:00 AMICS - Homestyle Light Your Fires!
11:00 AMICS - Red Chili Prep Begins
11:30 AMPeople's Choice Chili Serving Begins
12:00 PMICS - Red Chili Light Your Fires!
12:45 PMICS - Verde Judges Meeting
1:00 PMICS - Verde Turn In
1:45 PMICS - Homestyle Judges Meeting
2:00 PMICS - Homestyle Turn In
2:45 PMICS - Red Judges Meeting
3:00 PMICS - Red Turn In
4:00 PMPeople's Choice Chili Serving Ends
4:30 PMAwards
5:00 PMLoad Out
6:00 PMFacility Clear

Chili Judges – 

Use the contact link at the

top/bottom of this page tor

request your judging seat.

Things to Note:

  1. Cooks will likely not have direct vehicle access to their cooking areas, as such we will have a small army of valets (with carts) available to assist in moving all team equipment and supplies to and from the loading area and cooking areas, BOTH during load in, AND load out. Load in is a scheduled event, earlier load in times (and the most options) are given to those who sign up first.
  2. There is no paper application for this contest.
  3. In the event of wet weather, we have secured an alternate covered and semi-enclosed area that we will move this event to (but still on Santa Anita Park grounds), in this case, pop up tents will not be allowed.  We will brief cooks by email leading up to the event, on the specifics of this. We used this area in 2017.
  4. ICS Trained Judges are encouraged to apply by using the contact link at the top of the screen and indicating “ICS Trained/Certified Judge” in your comments.
  5. We will be selling People’s Choice tickets prior to the event opening, so people will arrive hungry and armed with tasting tickets!
  6. Parts of this event are ICS Sanctioned event, as such the rules for this event can be found here
  7. Due to Health Department requirements, PC chili must be cooked onsite.
  8. For the first 25 teams to enter we will provide a 10′ x 10′ pop up tent, two 8′ tables and two chairs already in your space and FULLY SETUP for your use during the cook off – FREE OF CHARGE! No need to bring your own. No setup or tear down by the teams! Additional tables and chairs can be arranged, if requested at least 2 weeks IN ADVANCE.
  9. RV Parking is available onsite but not directly adjacent to the cook-off area. It will be dry camping and we will provide it free of charge to chili competitors.

Contest Location:

General Admission to the Santa Anita Park Club House Apron, where the  Chili Cook Off is being held is $10, this includes access to a majority of the majestic Grandstands. Discounted ticket packages can be obtained here, until 2/8/19. Parking is $4 per car (except at Gate 6 which is free). Gates open to the public at 10:30am and first post is 12:30pm, for complete details on the racing action, please click here.

A look inside Santa Anita Park