Everybody has a great time at the Woodland Chamber of Commerce's Dynamite Chili Cook-off

Press Release:

"Chili cook-offs are truly family affairs," said John Fenrich, Chair of the cook-off and a World Champion cook-off competitor. "The teams' try hard to win the Showmanship award and than can provide a lot of fun for everyone."

Fenrich stressed that ICS rules would be strictly followed for judging the ICS-entered chilies. The 1987 ICS World Champion, Margo Knudson, will be the chief judge.

"We always have a lot of seasoned ICS cooks show up for our cook-off," Fenrich said. "Since this is one of their very last chances to qualify for World." The winner of the ICS World Cook-off takes home $25,000.

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The aroma of competition chili will be filling the air at the Yolo County Fairgrounds in Woodland on Saturday September 20th, as the eleventh annual Woodland Dynamite Chili Cook-off gets under way. The event will feature cooks and their teams vying for cash and trophies along with the chance to cook in the International Chili Society World Championship.

First through fifth place winners will be chosen from those competing in the International Chili Society sanctioned district cook-off with additional prizes being awarded to Peoples' Choice champions, Best Showmanship and Best Yolo County chili.

Ongoing entertainment will be provided by Mike Ward and Testify throughout the day. Dog Agility & Martial Arts demostrations will also take place. Hamburgers, hotdogs, nachos, cornbread, bowls of chili, beer, soft drinks, ice cream and bottled water will be sold at the Chambers Consession Stand. Food and beverages will be available from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Peoples' Choice competition is open to ICS and non-ICS cooks alike. The entry form states that Peoples' Choice competitors must fix at least 10 gallons of chili and that it must have beans in it. Chili judged in the ICS competition cannot have beans.

For a $7.00 donation, tasting kits are available. A kit includes: cups, spoons, napkins, three ballots to enable the holder to vote for his or her favorite Peoples' Choice Chili and Salsa! Also a ballot to judge the motorcycle competition.

A panel of judges, including a number of Woodland dignitaries, will judge the ICS competition chili. During the ICS judging the judges do not know which team's chili they are tasting.

Chamber of Commerce CEO Kristy Wright emphasizes the local competition, "What makes these cook-offs so much fun is the rivalries that go on - police against fire, Army against Navy, service club against service club restaurant against restaurant- all of the results and judges comments are posted at the end of the cook-off so everyone knows how they did compared to their neighbor or rival."

Proceeds from the cook-off will benefit youth activities and promote Woodland tourism efforts through the Woodland Chamber of Commerce such as the annual Holiday Parade held in December.

Additional information on the cook-off can be obtained at the Woodland Chamber of Commerce.

Directions

The Fairgrounds are located along East Street in between E. Gibson Road and Gum Ave. in Woodland. Recreational vehicle parking is available, contact the Fairgrounds directly for info.: 530-662-5393.

• From S.F./East Bay: Take I-80 East to Highway 113 North in Davis. Take the Main Street exit in Woodland. Turn left at the light. Travel 1 mile west to East Ave. turn left and head south to Gum Ave. Turn left and enter into the Fairgrounds Parking lot.
• From Sacramento: Take I-5 North past the Airport to Woodland. Take the Main Street Exit. Turn left at the light. Travel 1 mile west to East Ave. turn left and head south to Gum Ave. turn left and enter into the Fairgrounds Parking lot.
• From the North: Take I-5 South to the East Street exit. Turn left at the light. Travel South on East Street 2 miles to the light at Gum Ave. Turn Left on Gum and enter at the Fairgrounds gate.

Parking

A Fairgrounds parking lot is located off Gum Ave.

Schedule - September 20, 2008

The activities begin bright and early at 7 a.m. on Saturday when you can begin setting up your booth. Cars will be allowed in the cook-off area during that time but must be removed by 9:30 a.m. when all booths must be set up.

• 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Chili booth set-up
• 9:30 a.m. Cooks Meeting
• 10 a.m. ICS Green Chili Cold Preparation
• 11 a.m. National Anthem
• 11 a.m. Live Music Begins -Michael Ward
• 11 a.m. People's Choice Tasting Begins
• 11 a.m. Pony Rides
• 11 a.m. Craft Fair Begins
• 11 a.m. Food Concession Stands Open
• 11 a.m. ICS Red Chili Cold Preparation
• 11 a.m. ICS Green Chili Stoves On
• 11 a.m. Dog Agility Exhibition
• 11 a.m. Motorcycle/Hot Rod Contest Voting Begins
• Noon ICS Red Chili Stoves On
• Noon Judges Check-In
• Noon Martial Arts Demo
• 1 p.m. Dog Agility Exhibition
• 1:30 p.m. ICS Green Chili Judges Meeting
• 2 p.m. ICS Green Chili Turn In for Judging
• 2:30 p.m. ICS Red Chili Judges Meeting
• 2:30 p.m.
• 3 p.m. ICS Red Chili turn In for Judging
• 3:00 p.m. Tally People's Choice Ballots
• 3:30 p.m. Announce Winners

Amenities

Contact the Woodland Chamber at 530-662-7327,or 1-888-843-2636 to find out about special motel/inn room rates. Or for R.V.parking/camping needs call the Fairgrounds directly 530-662-5393

Volunteers

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Woodland Dynamite Chili Cook-off. Tasks ranging from set-up' to ticket sales to tasting kit stuffing to helping with scorekeeping all take the dedication of an enthusiastic group of volunteers. If you or your organization would like to be involved with the Woodland Dynamite Chili Cook-off click here or call the Woodland Chamber of Commerce office at 530-662-7327 or toll free, 1-888-843-2636.

FAQ

So you've heard about this thing called a Chili Cook-off, but don't know what it's all about? Well have we got answers for you! For everything you didn't know about a Chili cook-off but were afraid to ask have a look at our FAQ's !