Visit our listing at the International Chili Society website to register online or download the mail/fax form and rules.

Downloads: Contestant Info (PDF) | Contestant Application Form (PDF)

This year’s ChiliFest 2009, the West Virginia State Chili Championship, is shaping up to be a very exciting day. First, we will again have a 5-mile run to begin at 7:30 a.m. sponsored by Dress For Success. This worthy organization helps young woman prepare for a career in the business and professional world with proper business attire, a network of support and career development tools. The race will begin at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena and awards for the run will be presented at the Pullman Square stage at 9:30 a.m. Then, ChiliFest registration and activities will be well on its way for another championship event benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Tri-State. Due to the generosity of the many cooking teams in the past ChiliFest has now raised over $304,000 for the Ronald McDonald House. We are determined this year to break all our past goals and raise over $55,000 for “The House”. Your participation will ensure a big crowd, a big event and a big result for the Ronald McDonald House. Later in the day Marshall University will host Bowling Green University in football at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. All in all it’s a big day in Huntington on September 19th, for ChiliFest 2009.

Lodging

Lodging rates in many of the area hotels & motels have been discounted for the weekend of September 19th. Please contact the hotels early to secure a discounted rate as holds on those rates are usually only honored for 10 days before the event. The following have offered discounted rates:

• Pullman Plaza Hotel (304) 525-1001
• Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel (downtown) (304) 523-8880
• The Ramada Inn Limited (304) 523-4242
• The Super 8 Motel (304) 525-1410

Additional hotels in the area around the Huntington Mall with no discount include:

• Hampton Inn (304) 733-5300
• Best Western (304) 736-9772

Please mention ChiliFest when making your reservation for your discounted stay rate.

Arrival

All cooking teams should plan to arrive starting at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, September 19th to set up. You will need to enter the cookoff area at 3rd Avenue by way of 10th Street. Please unload your equipment after registration and move your vehicle outside the cookoff area to one of the parking garages or other nearby lots. Vehicles should be out of the cookoff area no later than 9:30 a.m. A reminder that any vehicle parked in the Pullman Square street area is subject to towing.

Registration

Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 9:30 a.m. at the registration tent on 3rd Ave. & 10th St. You will have a pre-assigned tent and cooking area. Tables are provided in all assigned cooking locations. At the registration area you will receive your official ICS judging cup(s) and hospitality kit. Verification of ICS membership will take place at registration. Please be ready to present your current ICS membership card when registering.

Cooks Meeting

The cooks meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Judging Tent located at 3rd Ave. & 8th St. A final roll call will take place and answers to any questions you may have along with final instructions for the Cookoff pertaining to rules and turn-in times will be answered. This meeting will end at 11:00 a.m. after which time you may return to begin cooking Chili Verde and Salsa. Please observe the schedule of events posted for times of events and turn-in for chili and salsa at the Judging Tent area.

Rules

See "Official Contestant Rules and Regulations" found on your official ICS application.

Judging

All chili and salsa will be turned-in at the Judging Tent area. Turn-in times are:

• ICS Red Chili – 3:00 p.m.
• Chili Verde – 2:00 p.m.
• Salsa – 12:00 noon

Judging will follow International Chili Society guidelines. The Head Judge is Bob McClain, the Head Scorekeeper is Eileen McClain, ChiliFest Chairman is Ron Smith. The decision of the judges will be final and announced stage side at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Equipment

Stoves will need to be of a “Coleman” camping type, which means fuel or propane stoves, no charcoal grills and electricity is not available for cooking. We will provide tent space and tables for all registered participants. Registered participants will be considered those applicants that have pre-paid the ICS membership fee and the ChiliFest registration fee.

Cabell County Health Department

The following are the requirements by the Cabell County Health Department for outdoor events. If you have any questions you may contact them at (304) 523-6483 and ask for Environmental Health, or contact us at (304) 529-4857 and ask for Lisa Daily or Ron Smith. The following minimum guidelines are for food safety:

• All raw meat products must be prepared in advance and arrive on site at a temperature below 45 F. This means no slicing, dicing, cutting, chopping, etc. of raw meat products.
• Foods must be protected from contamination as much as possible at all times. Pots must have lids. The public must not have access to the product until it is ready to serve.
• All service will be with single service bowls and/or plates, and individually wrapped utensils.
• All food products must be from an approved source.
• The food preparation area must be covered with a canopy or top covering.
• All potentially hazardous foods, unless being prepared, must be kept either cold, 45 F or lower, or hot, 140 F or higher.
• Hair must be restrained with a hat, sweatband, or tied back.
• Hand cleansing stations or wipes must be present and used.
• Sanitizing solutions must be used to clean all preparation surfaces before and after use.

Entry Fees

ChiliFest 2009 is the International Chili Society sanctioned West Virginia State Championship. All cooks participating must be current ICS members in good standing or register to be an ICS member before cooking. You may register for the ICS the morning of the cookoff at the registration area. A one year membership into the ICS is $50.00. The registration fee for ChiliFest is $40.00 for ICS Red Chili; $35.00 for Chili Verde; $10.00 for Salsa. All commercial entries entering in the People’s Choice category to promote your business the fee is $100.00. Each entry will get one corner of a 20’ x 20’ tent space from which to cook. Requests for additional space requires an upgrade charge. Entry fees should be mailed to:

ChiliFest 2009
c/o Chili Willi’s
1315 4th Ave.
Huntington, WV 25701

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for all of the following categories of judging.

ICS Red Chili:

• 1st Place: $1,500.00, WV Grand Champion Blenko Glass trophy, representation of West Virginia at the 2009 World’s Chili Championship.
• 2nd Place: $300.00 and a Blenko Glass trophy.
• 3rd Place: $200.00 and a Blenko Glass trophy.
• 4th Place: Blenko Glass trophy.
• 5th Place: Blenko Glass trophy.

Chili Verde:

• 1st Place: $500.00 and a Blenko Glass trophy, representation of West Virginia at the 2009 World’s Chili Championship.
• 2nd Place: Blenko Glass trophy.
• 3rd Place: Blenko Glass trophy.

Salsa:

• 1st Place: $100.00 and a Blenko Glass trophy, representation of West Virginia at the 2009 World’s Chili Championship.
• 2nd Place: Blenko Glass trophy.
• 3rd Place: Blenko Glass trophy.

Best Booth/Showmanship Award:

The Showmanship Award will be given to the team that best displays the spirit of the event. Each booth will be judged in three criteria: Booth Display, Costume & Spirit. The points will be tallied for a final score to determine the winner. The decision of the judges is final.

People’s Choice / “Hardest Working Chili Team”:

This award goes to the team that sells the most People’s Choice chili and collects the greatest number of sample tickets. The prize is $150.00 and a Blenko Glass trophy. Details of where and when to turn in your tickets of the judging count will be announced at the Cooks Meeting at 10:30 a.m.