The Chili Cookoff will be held in conjunction with live racing, and event producer Cynthia Stearns said over 50 venues vied to host the competition.
“We are pleased to have Emerald Downs as our host site this year,” Stearns said. “It’s a unique locale for our state and easily accessible. Plus, we have the exciting atmosphere of Thoroughbred racing and a wonderful venue to make this a terrific reason to enjoy both.”
The International Chili Society officially sanctions the Washington State Chili Cookoff, with winners advancing to the World Championship in October. The ICS is the world’s largest food festival.
At Emerald Downs, competitors will compete in three categories: Chili Red, Chili Verde and Salsa. Winners in each category advance to the World Championship (with minimum 10 competitors per category).
Last year’s Washington state winners were:
Lisa Beaver, Chili Red, West Richland
Chris Beaver, Chili Verde, West Richland
Ron Bryan, Salsa, Seattle
In addition to live racing and the chili competition, sponsors and vendors will be on-site at Emerald Downs.
For more information, please contact: Cynthia Stearns, Washington State Chili Cookoff Event Producer: (360) 589-7751 or washingtonstatechilicookoff@gmail.com.
There is sponsor/vendor space available.
For information and/or directions to Emerald Downs please visit emeralddowns.com. General Admission is $7 with post time 2 p.m.
There were six World Champions in attendance and seven states represented. The second-most winning person from ICS and former Chili Red World Champion, Doug Wilkey, is from our state, a Shoreline resident.
Founded in 1967, the International Chili Society is an organization that sanctions nearly 200 chili cookoffs each year that are governed by ICS rules and regulations and a blind judging process. These events are worldwide and benefit charities or non-profit organizations.
Local winners of ICS sanctioned cookoffs qualify to compete for cash prizes and awards throughout the year.
Top-level winners compete for a total prize package of $55,000 at the Worldʼs Championship Chili Cookoff held each year in October. One million spectators a year participate in ICS events by cooking, tasting, judging, and having a good time.
Over $90,000,000 has been donated to charities through the cookoffs.
Chili Red is where the big money is, with the winner at World’s receiving $25,000 first prize.
