Chili Cookoff

This plan outlines the steps for organizing a successful chili cookoff fundraiser, designed to engage participants, maximize attendance, and raise funds for a charitable cause. 

• Define      Goals: Set a fundraising goal and choose a beneficiary.
• Set      Date & Location: Choose a date with good weather (if outdoor)      or a large enough indoor space (gym, community hall) that can handle      multiple crockpots.
• Establish      Rules:
  • Entry       Type: Decide if chili must be cooked on-site or can be brought       ready-to-eat in a slow cooker.
  • Categories: Define       categories such as Best Traditional Red, Green/White Chili, Vegetarian,       or Most Creative.
  • Safety: Require       that all chili be kept at a safe temperature; suggest contestants bring       their own extension cords and power strips.
• Determine      Ticket Pricing: Consider $5–$10 for advance tickets, $10–$15 at      the door, and $25–$50 for entry fees per cooking team. 

San Antonio Young Lawyers Association +9

• Recruit Contestants: Ask local politicians, business leaders, or known home cooks to participate. Aim for at least 6–8 entries to ensure variety.
• Promote the Event: Use Facebook Events, create flyers for community boards, and notify local newspapers for human-interest stories.
• Sponsorships: Ask local businesses to sponsor trophies, prizes (e.g., custom aprons, engraved wooden spoons), or to donate food items. 

•  Order/Gather Supplies:
  • Tasting: 2 oz plastic portion cups, small plastic spoons, and napkins.
  • Serving: Full-size bowls for after-tasting, large ladles.
  • Fixings Bar: Shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, jalapeños,       cilantro, crackers, and cornbread.
  • Event: Tables, chairs, table coverings, and decorations.
• Ballots & Judging: Create voting ballots (e.g., 1–10 rating scale or "best overall" vote). 

• Setup: Arrange      tables in a buffet line, ensuring enough electrical outlets for all slow      cookers.
• Anonymity: Assign      a number to each entry to keep the chef’s identity secret for fair, blind      voting.
• Judge/Vote: Have      judges (local foodies or community leaders) taste first, then open up      voting to all attendees.
• Maximize      Fundraising:
  • Penny       Votes: Have jars in front of each pot and let people drop cash       in to vote for their favorites.
  • Raffle: Host       a raffle or silent auction alongside the event.
• Awards      Ceremony: Award prizes for categories like "Grand      Champion," "People's Choice," and "Hottest      Chili". 

• Cleanup: Recruit      volunteers to assist with sanitizing tables and disposing of food waste.
• Finalize      Donations: Calculate total money raised and send funds to the      designated charity.
• Thank      You Notes: Send appreciation messages to sponsors, volunteers,      and contestants.