2026 Rules - Chili When it’s Chilly – A Major Funding
Cooking Categories with Guidelines, Rules, Etc.
Summary / Highlights of the Rules:
1. Other than pre-soaking your beans, no pre-cooking is allowed. The preference is
that you set up in the cooking area outside where everyone can see what you are
up to. However, over the past couple years we have allowed cooking in your RV
or cabin if you want, or outside, just needs to be on site. Again, no pre-cooking.
2. You must cook in clean pots and be ready for someone to call you out if you are
being nasty. Wash your hands, etc. A lot.
3. If what you turn in looks bad, smells bad, or seems raunchy, it might not get
judged. Don’t be mad.
4. All judging is anonymous. You must turn in your entry in the container provided.
The container must be closed as designed…. if you have garnish and such
hanging out, we aren’t going to keep it.
5. This is NOT a sanctioned cook-off. We do what we can, but that stuff is just too
much.
6. Illegal substances are not allowed.
7. Cook extra. We have an official tasting process for the spectators. Please be
responsible with handing out samples, but feel free to do so responsibly. Clean
containers, clean hands.
8. The judges of this event are not trained chefs, some can’t even spell chef. This is a
charitable, fun event. If your entry isn’t judged like you think it should be judged,
bring an extra serving to Big Al later for an honest opinion.
9. Judges scores are tabulated by a highly proprietary electronic systems that
requires all judges to have a working smartphone to participate. If you are asked
to judge buty still have a flip phone, please politely decline, or run down to the
Apple store and catch up to the times!
CWIC 2026 Hot Shit Team Award
(the name still needs work, but it’s stuck for years now…)
2026 – Chili Tasting / Fan Favorite Team Award Plan
1. Purpose
a. Allow patrons to the event to interact with the cooks and other participants.
b. Encourage interaction between teams.
c. Allow for a “Hot Shit Team” (name needs work) voting system.
2. Requirements
a. Each cooking entrant / team for chili will need to cook some extra, or have a bigger pot, or something…. plan to give away about ½ gallon of chili, depending on quality.
b. “Hot Shit Team” voting ends at 3:59pm
c. CWIC will supply small and cheap plastic cups.
d. CWIC will supply odd colored raffle tickets used for hot-shit team judging.
e. Each team will supply and display a “tip jar” type receptacle for patrons to place voting tickets in throughout the event.
3. How it works
a. Voting cups can be purchased for $.50, each cup comes with a “voting ticket.”
b. After 2:30pm on Saturday, if a cook is asked, they need to offer enough chili to taste per cup. Each team is instructed to only put chili to taste in a clean, un-used cup, and about two good solid bites or so.
c. Each team needs to prominently put up a “tip jar” for people to drop their vote tickets in. Teams without the receptacle clearly displayed may get passed, and not receive any voting tickets.
d. Each team will solicit voting support through decorations, outlandish antics, and other shenanigans.
e. The pre-determined turn-in time for the tip jars is 4:00pm on Saturday
Turn in for the tip-jars is at “the tent.” . The team that turns in the tip jar with the most “voting tickets” will determine the recipient of the hot shit Fan-Favorite 2026 team award.
I. General Rules and Guidelines
a. Each team or individual can enter as many different entries into as many categories as is desired. A separate entry fee will be paid for each entry into each category, regardless of the originating team. So then, for example, a single team or entrant might want to enter three different recipes in the margarita contest and may do so, but each entry will require its own entry fee.
b. INSPECTION OF COOKING CONDITIONS - Cooking conditions are subject to inspection by the judge supervisor or his/her designee.
c. Generally speaking, all preparations and cooking must be done at the site of the cook-off. Cooking and preparation, except as noted here, must be done no earlier than the Friday before the contest date. Recipe does not have to be published, but all recipe components must be food or beverage products. All final preparation or cooking must be done at the cook-off site, preferably outdoors in an all-access cooking area. Mixing or cooking inside motor homes, for example, is allowed but not preferred.
d. Exceptions noted are below:
i. Due to possible inclement weather and other considerations…entrants may pre- cook base meats prior to the cook-off. In the interest of cleanliness and sanitation, pre-cooked meats should be in sealed containers and stored in such a way as to promote a safe and edible final product. However, as with all ingredients, it must be clearly identified and be a single ingredient. No pre-seasoning of meats cooked off site is permitted.
ii. Beans to be used may be pre-soaked in the interest of time and due to the possibility of inclement weather.
iii. Drink components such as concentrated orange juice or similar items may be pre-prepared away from the cook off site.
e. Each team or entrant understands that presented items may not be completely judged if an individual judge or the judging “supervisor” deems an entry to be not fit for human consumption. If you turn something in that looks spoiled, rotten, or otherwise just plain nasty, you can’t expect someone else to put it in their mouth.
f. Each team or entrant may be required to take a large bite / sample / taste / swallow of whatever they are entering at the time they turn in to the judge’s table. If the cook won’t eat it, it won’t be judged.
g. Judging General Rules
i. Entries will be turned in to the designated judging area in an unmarked container provided by the judging committee. The container will have affixed a two-part numerical ticket inside an envelope taped to the container. Winners will be presented based on ticket numbers and the contestant must present the signed ticket to be declared as such.
ii. The entry MUST be turned in in the container provided. The container must be able to close AS DESIGNED.
iii. Judging sheets will be tabulated anonymously and electronically by the judging committee in plain view. Individual judges will not know the winner upon completion of the judging.
iv. Tie scores in the top three of each category will be broken by a judging re-taste from a judge selected that wasn’t a part of the original judging. Most likely, it will be Big AL.
h. This cook-off is NOT sanctioned by any entity recognized in the world of Chili Cooking.
Further, AMF ( www.amajorfunding.com ), CWIC and its sponsors, nor the campground are responsible for resolving disputes or disagreements arising from this event. This is for fun, people, so let’s keep it that way.
Homegrown Chips and Salsa
a. Rules for Contents
a. Entrants may elect to turn in commercially made chips or homemade chips…. either is acceptable but both will be judged
b. Salsa may be any color, any consistency, and any style. Entrants should remember that the judging will occur in random order and as such salsa served warm may not be at the desired temp by the time the judges get to it.
b. Rules for Judging
a. Each entrant team must turn in 1 full container of the entered chips and salsa for judging. Leftovers are doubtful but will be managed properly.
b. Judging for this contest will be a multiple judge panel. Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before going to the next entrant. Crackers and cheese with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between samples to be judged.
c. Each judging sample must be taken from the container on a new chip… no double dipping ‘cause that is nasty. Once the judging panel has completed scoring the entry, re-tasting is not allowed.
d. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 1 –10 with 10 being the highest available score on the following characteristics:
i. Appearance
ii. Aroma
iii. Overall flavor
iv. Chip quality
e. Judges will be instructed to rate each sample on the above characteristics for a combined possible high score of 40 or a combined possible low score of 4.
I. Winning entrants will be announced, scores for each entry will be made available to those folks who have signed up for the newsletter in orderposted to give each participant an idea of what they need to work on for the future of mankind snacking. Any fights ensuing from arguments over winning or losing will be broken up and later settled by a morning dish washing contest on
Sunday morning, to be judged at the Martin Camp… judging by campsite family and friends. All participants in the dish washing fight resolution contest will also have to participate in Big Al’s Bible Study while washing the dishes.
Friday Night Best Damn Steak to Ever See Fire Competition
a. Rules for Contents
i. All entries must be beef.
ii. Any cut of meat may be used other than cheek meat, intestinal meat, or recently removed genitals.
iii. As the cut and seasoning of individual entries will vary, each entry will be judged on its own merits and not compared to other entries.
iv. Sauces, while an unnecessary crutch to a properly cooked steak, may be included in the entry container in a separate
container. Judges will individually decide if the sauce is to be tasted when judging. Most likely, if the steak needs sauce, it ain’t
going to win anyway.
v. No other side dishes or accompaniments are needed. Greenery, decorations, or other nonsense is allowed, but let’s be serious ... just bring forth the steak.
b. Rules for Judging
i. Each entrant must turn in at least one steak to be judged. The steak should be of adequate size to allow for proper tasting by judges and as well the judging supervising team, if it looks really good. Maybe send two, just to be nice.
ii. Judging for this contest will be a multiple judge panel.
Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before going to the next entrant. Crackers and cheese with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between samples to be judged.
iii. Each judging sample must be taken from the container on a new clean fork…steaks may be presented sliced and ready to eat or may be presented any way the entrant desires.
iv. Once the judging panel has completed scoring the entry, re- tasting is not allowed.
v. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 0 – 10 with 10 being the highest available score considering the following
characteristics:
1. Flavor
2. Tenderness
3. Juiciness
vi. Judges will be instructed to rate each sample on the above characteristics for a possible high score of 10 or a possible low score of 0.
vii. Losing steaks will be fed to the dogs. If the dogs won’t eat it, the judges will be sent to the local medical facility for
evaluation.
First Annual “Tommy Wants Wingy” CWIC Wings Cookoff
c. Rules for Contents
i. All entries must be chicken. Real Chicken. Cage free or organic or otherwise, but not in a container from any fast-food outlet. You can enter that, but you got to put it in our container.
ii. Entries must be traditional wings, not boneless. People who try to enter a wing cookoff using a strip of chicken breast ought to reconsider their life choices.
iii. As the sauce and seasoning of individual entries will vary, each entry will be judged on its own merits and not compared to other entries.
iv. Sauces may be included in the entry container in a separate container. Judges will individually decide if the sauce is to be tasted when judging. It’d be a lot easier, however, if each entry was properly sauced.
v. No other side dishes or accompaniments are needed. Greenery, decorations, or other nonsense is allowed, but let’s just cut to the chase, we want the wings.
d. Rules for Judging
i. Each entrant must turn in at least 10 wings to be judged. The wings can be flats or drummies, but at least 10 and should be of adequate size to allow for proper tasting by judges and as well the judging supervising team, if it looks really good. Maybe send extras, just to be nice.
ii. Judging for this contest will be a multiple judge panel. Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before
going to the next entrant. Crackers and cheese with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between samples to be
judged.
iii. Each judging sample must be taken from the container on a new clean piece of plasticware. We…wings may be presented dry or sauced, but hopefully ready to eat any way the entrant desires.
iv. Once the judging panel has completed scoring the entry, re- tasting is not allowed.
v. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 0 – 10 with 10 being the highest available score considering the following
characteristics:
1. Flavor
2. Flavor
3. How it tastes
vi. Judges will be instructed to rate each sample on the above characteristics for a possible high score of 10 or a possible low score of 0.
vii. Losing entries will be likely used to refill trash containers.
Take Me Away Again to Margaritas Contest
a. Rules for Contents
i. Any legal beverage may be used in the mix.
ii. The final entered drink must have at least 3 ingredients total. Any 3, other than AIR, belly-button lint, or dog hair is
acceptable.
iii. No illegal substances of ANY KIND may be used in the mix.
iv. Non-liquid contents, such as salt, peppers, etc. must be readily identifiable.
v. The final entered beverage can be served hot, cold, frozen, on the rocks, or in any other typical form. Judging will likely occur at ambient temperature for the day so that should be considered when creating.
b. Rules for Judging
i. Each entrant team must turn in 1 full container of the beverage for judging. Leftovers are doubtful but will be managed properly. The entrant may be required to taste the entry in front of the judging supervisor or his designate.
ii. All judges may be asked to present valid government issued identification, upon request, to verify a minimum age of 21
years. Even if your mom and dad are there to say its okay, you CANNOT judge this event if you aren’t at least 21.
iii. Judging for this contest will be a multiple judge panel. Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before
going to the next entrant. Crackers, cheese, celery, grapes, etc. with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between
samples to be judged.
iv. Each sample must be poured from its entry container to a clean, un-used cup for judging. Once the judges have completed the scoring the sample cannot be re-tasted by that judge. The entry might be consumed quickly by the judging supervisor.
v. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 0 – 10 with 10 being the highest available score considering the following
characteristics:
1. Appearance
2. Aroma
3. Overall flavor
vi. Judges will be instructed to rate each sample on the above characteristics for a possible high score of 10 or a combined
possible low score of 0.
vii. Tie scores in the top three will be broken by a judging re- taste from a judge selected that wasn’t a part of the original
judging.
Hangover Curing Dessert
c. Rules for Contents
i. Entries may contain pre-measured ingredients or canned, commercially available ingredients, but the final cooking and/or
preparation must be completed at the cook off site in clear view.
ii. Dessert may be any color, any consistency, and any style. Entrants should remember that the judging will occur in random
order and as such entries served at a specific temperature may not be at the desired temp by the time the judges get to it.
iii. Each entry will be judged on its own merits and not compared to other entries.
d. Rules for Judging
i. Each entrant team must turn in 1 full container of the entered dessert for judging. Leftovers are doubtful but will be managed properly.
ii. Judging for this contest will be a multiple judge panel. Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before
going to the next entrant. Crackers and cheese with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between samples to be
judged.
iii. Each judging sample must be taken from the container on a new clean spoon…no double dipping ‘cause that is nasty. Once the judging panel has completed scoring the entry, re-tasting is not allowed.
iv. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 0 – 10 with 10 being the highest available score on the following
characteristics:
1. Appearance
2. Overall flavor
3. Originality / creativity
v. Judges will be instructed to rate each sample on the above characteristics for a possible high score of 10 or a possible low score of 0.
Grilled, Fried, Burnt, or Otherwise Perfected Jalapeño Contest
a. Rules for Contents:
vi. Fresh jalapeños must be used in the recipe
vii. Peppers may be cooked in any way, but must be cooked outdoors. Uncooked peppers are also legal for this event, if so
desired.
viii. Foreign objects must be clearly identified, such as toothpicks.
b. Rules for Judging
x. Each entrant team must turn in at least 10 peppers (more is better) for judging. Leftovers after judging will be made available for sampling by any attendees who want to try them, while they last.
xii. Judging for this contest will be a multiple judge panel. Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before going to the next entrant. Crackers and cheese with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between samples to be judged.
xiv. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 0 – 10 with 10 being the highest available score on the following
characteristics:
1. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 0 – 10 with 10 being the highest available score based on a
summary judgment of Appearance,
2. Flavor
3. Originality, and
4. Originality.
xv. Judges will be instructed to rate each sample from 0-10 on the above characteristics for a possible high score of 10 or a
possible low score of 0.
Kids ONLY S’mores
c. Rules for Contestant and Cooking
xvi. This is a KIDS ONLY cooking event. All entrants must be under the age of 16.
xvii. Adults may supervise the preparation of the entry, but cannot TOUCH any part of the entry, the container, or the
preparation of any of the entry or container. Be honest here, folks.
xviii. All products submitted with the entry, or in the entry, must be a food product. No little green Army Men, Barbie Doll heads, or other such shenanigans are allowed.
xix. No precooking of components is allowed. However, cold s’mores aren’t as good as warm ones, so there is that.
d. Rules for Judging
xx. Each entrant must turn in 5 complete s’mores to be judged.
xxi. The entry should be in the approved, provided by CWIC container.
xxii. Judging for this contest will be a 3-judge panel. Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before going to the next entrant. Crackers and cheese with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between samples to be judged.
xxiii. Each judging sample must be taken from the container and placed on an individual plate for that judge.
xxiv. Once the judging panel has completed scoring the entry, re- tasting is not allowed.
xxv. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 0 – 10 with 10 being the highest available score on the following
characteristics:
1. Appearance
2. Taste
xxvi. Judges will be instructed to rate each sample on the above characteristics for a combined possible high score of 10 or a combined possible low score of 0.
KIDS ONLY World’s Greatest Hot Dog Event
e. Rules for Content and Cooking
i. This is a KIDS ONLY cooking event. All entrants must be under the age of 16.
ii. Adults may supervise the preparation of the entry, but cannot TOUCH any part of the entry, the container, or the
preparation of any of the entry or container. Again, honestly here folks. It’s a kid’s competition. You really don’t want to be the 45 year old who knocked a bunch of kids down.
iii. All products submitted with the entry, or in the entry, must be a food product. No little green Army Men, Barbie Doll heads,
or other such shenanigans are allowed.
iv. No precooking of components is allowed, with the exception of using canned products for the entry such as beans,
chili, pickles, condiments, etc.
f. Rules for Judging
i. Each entrant must turn in 4 complete hot dogs to be judged.
ii. The entry should be in the approved, provided by CWIC container.
iii. Judging for this contest will be a 3-judge panel. Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before going to
the next entrant. Crackers and cheese with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between samples to be judged.
iv. Each judging sample must be taken from the container and placed on an individual plate for that judge.
v. Once the judging panel has completed scoring the entry, re- tasting is not allowed.
vi. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 0 – 10 with 10 being the highest available score on the following
characteristics:
1. Appearance
2. Taste
Freestyle CAMP SLOP Contest
g. Rules for Contents
i. Nothing can be included in the recipe that is not a recognized food product in some part of the world. Everything is okay as an
ingredient as long as it is food. Toe jam, navel lint, rocks, lampshades, etc are not allowed.
ii. Pre-prepared ingredients are allowed, canned products are allowed as an ingredient but not as the final product. Beans, rice,
and other communist-type ingredients are also allowed. Tofu is allowed but not encouraged.
iii. The Slop must be a dish served warm-to-hot, and be some variant of “bowl food” like soup, stew, gumbo, jambalaya, mac-n-
cheese, etc.
iv. Preparation and cooking must be done somewhere, anywhere, indoors or out… but someplace other than public
restrooms or in Nebraska.
v. Each entry will be judged on its own merits and taste, not in comparison to other entries. This is a freestyle contest so any entry is acceptable that will fit in the judging container.
h. Rules for Judging
i. Each entrant team must turn in 1 full container of the entered concoction for judging. Leftovers are doubtful but will be managed properly. Leftovers with tofu will be fed to the dogs, if they eat it.
ii. Judging for this contest will be a multiple judge panel. Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before
going to the next entrant. Crackers and cheese with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between samples to be
judged.
iii. Each judging sample must be taken from the container in a clean, un-used spoon. Once the judging panel has completed
scoring the entry, re-tasting is not allowed.
iv. Entries will be judged anonymously on a scale of 0 – 10 with 10 being the highest available score taking into consideration
the following characteristics:
1. Appearance
2. Aroma
3. Overall flavor
4. Originality / creativity
v. Judges will be instructed to rate each sample on the above characteristics for a possible high score of 10 or a possible low
score of 0.
Regulation Style, Honest-to-God Texas Chili Contest
i. Rules for Contents
i. CHILI COOKED FROM SCRATCH - Commercial chili powder and spices are permissible, but complete commercial chili mixes that contain pre-measured spices) are NOT permitted.
ii. NO FILLERS IN CHILI - Beans, macaroni, rice, hominy, or other similar ingredients are not permitted. If the judges identify a filler in your chili, you may be disqualified.
j. Rules for Judging
i. Each entrant team must turn in 1 full container of the entered chili for judging. Leftovers are doubtful but will be managed properly.
ii. Judging for this contest will be a 6 judge panel. Each judge will receive a sample from the entry and score it before going to
the next entrant. Crackers and cheese with drinks will be available to judges to clear the palette between samples to be judged.
iii. COOKS MAY HAVE TO TASTE THEIR CHILI - At the discretion of the head judge or judging supervisor, chili cooks may
be required to remove the lids from their chili containers and taste their chili before turning in for judging. (If a contestant refuses, his
or her chili will be disqualified.)
iv. Each judging sample must be taken from the container in a clean, un-used spoon. Once the judging panel has completed
scoring the entry, re-tasting is not allowed.
v. 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.
vi. JUDGING CRITERIA AND SCORING - A single score
takes into consideration the five criteria for scoring chili, a scale
from 0-10 with 10 being the highest.
1. Aroma
2. Consistency
3. Red Color / Appearance
4. Taste
vii. Judges will be instructed to rate each sample on the above characteristics for a possible high score of 10 or a possible low
score of 0.