Proceeds support local, national and international projects sponsored by the Henniker Rotary Club and Rotary International

HOW TO ENTER THE HENNIKER ROTARY CLUB CHILI FEST CONTESTS

Fill out the Entry Form and return mail before August 9th with your entry fee ($15.00 per chili recipe entered).

RESTAURANTS: prepare four to six gallons of chili
INDIVIDUALS/SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS: prepare three to five gallons of chili.

We provide each contestant with 8’ of table space, two chairs, tasting cups, spoons and napkins. Due to electrical limitations in the buildings, you will have one electrical outlet. Please do not bring electrical strips or multiple plugs. We recommend keeping your chili warm in steam tables with sterno rather than crock pots.  

There should be two servers for each chili entrant.  

$1,500 IN PRIZES TO BE AWARDED  
Five awards will be presented in each of the categories:

·    Peoples’ Choice Award – the voting public
·    1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards – Independent Celebrity Judging Panel
·    Best Presentation – Rotary judges

Individual/organization winners receive a plaque and cash gifts to be awarded to the charity of their choice (Peoples’ Choice: $500, 1st place $500, 2nd place: $300, 3rd place $200)

Restaurant award winners receive a plaque and colorful chili banner to display in their place of business for a year.

TROPHY AWARDED IN EACH CONTEST FOR BEST PRESENTATION 

We encourage all entrants to develop a theme and decorate your table area or wear team attire to generate enthusiasm from the crowd and contestants. You can customize your space with decorations, condiments and chips for tasting. However, do not add decorations requiring additional electricity (no blinking lights).

Your chili may be prepared with any kind of meat or combination of meats, cooked with red and/or green chili peppers, various spices and ingredients (Yes, we have had seafood, chocolate and moose chilis in past events). Please bring a table label if your chili contains ingredients that might cause an allergic reaction. Example:  Contains: NUTS

Contestants need to be on the premises by 11:30 AM to begin setting up. You will be assigned to your space at that time. Placement of each chili maker will be settled by a drawing the week prior to the festival. Space is limited. Get your application in early.

Sampling begins at 1:00 PM. The public will judge the chili and the three teams in each contest with the most number of votes will win the prizes. A celebrity team of judges will determine Best Presentation in each contest. The contest will continue until 3:30 PM even if you run out of chili. Restaurants will receive trophies and a year’s worth of bragging rights. Individual and Service Organization winning contestants will receive cash prizes of $500, $300 and $200 to donate to the charitable organization of their choice.

Throughout the day, the Chili Tasting contests will be accompanied by activities for the kids, music broadcast by Manchester’s Classic Rock Station, 96.5 The Mill, a Classic Car Show, raffles and concession booths, a barbecue and beer tent.

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon in August!