Join House of Hops for their Annual Chili Cook Off on Sat, Feb 28, 1pm-5pm. Any type of chili is eligible and will be judged on the following criteria:

• Aroma: Does it smell appetizing?
• Appearance: Is the color rich and appealing? Does it look appetizing and reflect its ingredients?
• Consistency: Is it a smooth, balanced blend of ingredients? Avoid watery, greasy, grainy, or overly thick/lumpy textures.
• Taste: Is there a good blend of flavor? No single ingredient should dominate.
• Aftertaste: Should not leave behind a bitter/metallic taste, and the heat should fade nicely.

Each category will be ranked on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the worst and 5 the best. 2-3 judges will be present to blind-taste each contestant’s chili and score it according to the above criteria. There is no cooking on site. Everything must be prepared in advance and kept warm throughout the event. If you wish to bring toppings/sides, you may do so, but you will be judged on the chili alone. There is a $15 buy-in to compete as a contestant. This includes a T-shirt, 2 draft beers on the day of, and a chili cookbook featuring all the contestants’ chili recipes after the competition. This can be paid in advance or on the day of the competition (cash or card accepted). See more rules, what to bring, awards, prizes, and register here.

This event takes place indoors. House of Hops is pet-friendly. More events at House of Hops. Part of the Chatham County Craft Beverages & Country Inns Trail.