- TEAMS: An entry may consist of one “head cook” and other assistant cooks as desired. However, only the “head cook” and one assistant will gain free entry to the event. All other assistants must buy an entry ticket. The “head cook” and one designated assistant will receive a cooks’ badge in order to allow us to strictly enforce this rule. If purchased prior to the event, entry tickets are 130 pesos for all members of your team other than the “head cook” and one designated assistant (tickets are 150 pesos if purchased the day of the event). There is no entry fee for children under 12.
- SUPPLIES: Each team will be assigned 1 tent (possibly to be shared with another team), one table and 2 chairs. We will provide each team with 10 lbs. ground meat (kilo equivilant), 1 propane burner (or 2 if you are entering both the chili and the charro beans contests). You must bring all other needed equipment and supplies. No open or wood fires – no holes or dug pits will be permitted. If you do not live in San Miguel, we will loan you 1 large cooking pot if you need it.
- COOKING: You do NOT have to cook your Peoples’ Choice chili at the site. You may cook it at home before the cook-off and simply warm it at the site. There are no rules regarding ingredients – just make your best chili! You ARE required to cook at least 10 lbs of meat, but we recommend that you bring more. Remember, there is no panel of judges. The PEOPLE attending the event are the only judges, so you’ll want to bring enough chili for everyone to get a taste! We will provide tasting cups and spoons for the public.
- SCHEDULE: You may arrive at the site as early as 8:00 a.m. Volunteers will be present to show you where your tent is located and to help you carry your things to your tent. Your set-up must be complete by 11:30 a.m. The gates will open to the public beginning at 1 P.M. You must be prepared to provide tastes to the public between 1 and 4:15. Voting will be cut-off at 4:20 and the winners will be announced between 4:30 and 5:00. At 5:00, you may close your booth and begin to remove your belongings. There will be volunteers present to help you carry your things to your vehicle.
- DECORATIONS/BEST BOOTH CONTEST: You can be as creative as you like with decorating your tent. Signs, tables, chairs, balloons – whatever decorations you want. By entering either the Peoples’ Choice for Best Chili or the Best Charro Beans contest, you will be automatically entered in the Best Booth contest – there is no entry fee and no need to sign up. Anonymous judges will be inspecting all the booths to choose the winner. The winner will be announced between 4:00 and 5:00. You can also sign up for CASI “Show”.
- BEVERAGES: YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN TO BRING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OF ANY KIND ONTO THE PREMISES, OR TO SELL OR GIVE AWAY ANY BEVERAGES OF ANY KIND. ANY CONTESTANT WHO VIOLATES THIS RULE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. There will be bars on site that will sell water, soft drinks, beer, margaritas and other beverages (including tequila and rum by the bottle). All proceeds of the sale of beverages at the on-site bar go directly to the San Miguel Community Foundation, and it is a primary source of revenue from this event.
- PARKING: If you arrive early enough, you may park in the hotel parking lot. The hotel will only allow us to use ½ of the parking lot, reserving the other half for hotel guests. If you do not arrive early enough to park in the lot, you may still drive into the lot to unload your things, and then remove your vehicle to find street parking.
- CONDUCT: The “head cook” is responsible for the conduct of the participants and guests in his/her area and also for keeping the area neat and clean. You should bring your own trash bags so that you can clean your area completely when you leave. Leave it cleaner than ya’ found it!
