Chili Cook-Off 2026: Icewind Brewing

Link to Rules and Entry Guidelines

Get ready for a day of spice, fun, and flavor at the Chili Cook-Off 2026! Register to compete with chili enthusiasts to battle it out for the crown. We're accepting entries for Traditional Red, Chili Verde and Homestyle Chili as well as salsa. Cash prizes and awards for each category, Best in Show and People's Choice awards.

LOCATION: ICEWIND BREWING 349 Knutson St., Mapleton, ND 58059

WHEN: Saturday, March 14th, 2-6pm

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday, March 12th, 2026

TEAMS:

May compete as an individual or a team. Please register through our Eventbrite link. Maximum of 20 teams allowed. 

CATEGORIES:

There are (4) categories for chili/salsa entries. Maximum of (1) submission per category per team. Chili Verde & Traditional Red will be judged together and given one award.

1. Traditional Red Chili is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with red chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed.
2. Chili Verde is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with green chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed.
3. Homestyle Chili is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Homestyle chili may be any color. Beans are required. Seafood is allowed.
4. Salsa While no set of ingredients is required for the preparation of salsa, it should contain chiles. Other vegetable, fruit, spice and herb ingredients may be added at the cook’s discretion. Salsa MUST be homemade by the contestant. Commercial salsa will not be accepted. 

PLEASE NOTE

• For all chilis, preference is not given to either cut meat, ground meat, shredded meat or cubed meat. 
• NO GARNISHES are allowed on the chili judging samples.
• There are four entry categories; however, Traditional Red and Chili Verde will be judged together as a single judging category and only one prize will be given.   However, contestants may enter both a Traditional Red & a Chili Verde (one of each).

ENTRY FEE:

$25 per chili submission (limit 1 per category per team)

$15 per salsa submission (limit 1 per team)

JUDGING & PRIZES:

1. A panel of judges selected by Icewind will sample each entry and declare a winner for each category and an overall Champion Chili. Judging is based on appearance, aroma, texture, and flavor. 
2. There will be a People’s Choice Award for best entry based on votes received during sampling period.  People’s Choice includes all entries.
3. Chili Verde & Traditional Red will be judged together as one category with one prize.
4. Cash Prizes & Trophies will be given to each category, Overall Champion, and People’s Choice winners. Cash prizes will be determined upon finalizing registration of all contestants. 

CHILI PREPARATION:

1. All chili/salsa entries must be prepared BEFORE competition. 
2. Must prepare a MINIMUM of 1 gallon of chili per entry (1 quart of salsa required). You may prepare more than 1 gallon if desired (recommended, but not required). 
3. Chilis will be warmed on site before judging and sampling.
4. All chilis MUST be properly warmed to a minimum of 140 degrees F. 
5. 16oz of each chili will be reserved for judging and the rest is available for sampling by attendees/people’s choice voters.
6. NO GARNISHES will be allowed. 

SETUP:

1. All contestants/teams will be given an assigned station upon arrival. 
2. Teams are responsible for bringing their own - warming devices (crockpots, etc), ladles & serving utensils, extension cords. Surge protectors are also welcomed as we have limited outlets.
3. Icewind Brewing will supply - tables & chairs, sample cups & sample spoons, napkins, tablecloths, bowls & spoons for judging, trash bins, voting slips for judges/attendees, access to outlets, some surge protectors (limited supply). 
4. All teams are responsible for thoroughly cleaning up their station after the event has completed. 

TIMELINE OF EVENTS:

2:00-3:00pm - Contestants check in, find their stations & warm their chilis

3:00-4:00pm - Judging

4:00-5:30pm - Sampling & People’s Choice voting period for attendees

5:30-6:00pm - Winners announced & Prizes given

PLEASE NOTE - in the occurrence of EXTREME adverse weather conditions, Icewind will give all contestants a 24-hour notice of cancellation of the event. 

Info: SETUP:

All contestants/teams will be given an assigned station upon arrival.

Teams are responsible for bringing their own - warming devices (crockpots, etc), ladles & serving utensils, extension cords. Surge protectors are also welcomed as we have limited outlets.

Icewind Brewing will supply - tables & chairs, sample cups & sample spoons, napkins, tablecloths, bowls & spoons for judging, trash bins, voting slips for judges/attendees, access to outlets, some surge protectors (limited supply).

All teams are responsible for thoroughly cleaning up their station after the event has completed.

Info: JUDGING & PRIZES:

A panel of judges selected by Icewind will sample each entry and declare a winner for each category and an overall Champion Chili. Judging is based on appearance, aroma, texture, and flavor.

There will be a People’s Choice Award for best entry based on votes received during sampling period. People’s Choice includes all entries.

Chili Verde & Traditional Red will be judged together as one category with one prize.

Cash Prizes & Trophies will be given to each category, Overall Champion, and People’s Choice winners. Cash prizes will be determined upon finalizing registration of all contestants.

Info: CHILI PREPARATION:

All chili entries must be prepared BEFORE competition.

Must prepare a MINIMUM of 1 gallon of chili per entry. You may prepare more than 1 gallon if desired (recommended, but not required).

Chilis will be warmed before being brought to the brewery, and heat temps will be maintained on site before judging and sampling.

All chilis MUST be properly warmed to a minimum of 140 degrees F.

16oz of each chili will be reserved for judging and the rest is available for sampling by attendees/people’s choice voters.

NO GARNISHES will be allowed.

Info: JUDGING & PRIZES:

A panel of judges selected by Icewind will sample each entry and declare a winner for each category and an overall Champion Chili. Judging is based on appearance, aroma, texture, and flavor.

There will be one People’s Choice Award for best entry based on votes received during sampling period. People’s Choice includes all entries.

Cash Prizes & Trophies will be given to Individual Category (1 per), Overall Champion, and People’s Choice winners. Cash prizes will be determined upon finalizing registration of all contestants. Chili Verde & Traditional Red will be judged together as one category & one prize.

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