Arkansas State Championship Hillbilly Chili Cook-off Heats Up in September
September 2003

Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

Sampling chili might be the cook-off's biggest draw.

The Arkansas State Championship Hillbilly Chili Cook-off heats up Sept. 5 and 6 in Bull Shoals, giving contestants a chance to win a spot in the World's Championship Chili Cook-off in Reno, Nevada, and attendees a chance to eat some of the best chili in The Natural State.

About 2,500 spectators, 25 professional cooks and competitors from across the country are expected at the 8th annual cook-off, which takes place at the tree-shaded Bull Shoals City Park. The event begins Friday evening with live music, barbecue and an opportunity to meet the cook-off competitors. A limited number of tickets at a cost of $5 per person will be available for Friday's events.

Numerous activities, including the chili cook-off, take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday when admission is $1 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Live musical performances will take place throughout the day, including appearances by The Grizzly Bear Boys, which plays country music, and Cosmos, which plays a variety of dance music. Other activities include artisans and crafters selling everything from knives to soaps, a classic car show, competitions for spin casting and fly casting, a variety of children's activities, and a horseshoe tournament.

Vendors will be on hand Saturday selling chili as well as hot dogs, bratwurst, kettle corn, funnel cakes and other items. Visitors will also be able to purchase $1 raffle tickets for chances to win prizes donated by local businesses, which include a half-day float trip on the White River and a "Dinner Out" package that contains more than $150 in certificates to area restaurants.

The chili competition begins at 11 a.m. "The competitors cook for three hours," explained Larry Strickert, chief judge. "At 11 a.m. they start their stoves and they have to turn their chili in at 2 p.m." The event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society, which is the largest food contest, festival organization in the world. Last year's chili cook-off at Bull Shoals drew competitors from eight states.

Cooks compete in three categories: traditional red chili, chili verde and salsa. Traditional red chili is defined by the ICS "as any kind of meat or combination of meats, cooked with red chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients, with the exception of beans and pasta." Chili Verde is defined by the ICS "as any kind of meat or combination of meats, cooked with green chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients, with the exception of beans and pasta."

There are no rules regarding ingredients or preparations of salsa entries. In fact, "it may be prepared at home and brought to the site that day, or it may be store bought and brought to the site, or it may be prepared at the cook-off," according to ICS rules.

In the chili cook-off, no ingredient may be pre-cooked prior to the cook-off. The only exceptions are canned or bottled tomatoes, tomato sauce, peppers, pepper sauce or beverages. Meat may be treated, pre-cut or ground, but not pre-cooked. All other ingredients must be chopped or prepared during the preparation period.

Judging will take about one hour with prizes presented around 3 p.m. Prize monies are $500 and a trophy for the state champion, $300 for second place, $100 for third place and $100 for the best decorated booth.

After the competition, the chili is offered to the public, which will have a chance to cast votes for the "People's Choice Chili." Beginning at 11 a.m. the public may purchase $1 tasting kits, which allow a person to sample three chilies.

ICS competitions are held worldwide and benefit charities or non-profit organizations. The National Kidney Foundation, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Make a Wish Foundation, Meals on Wheels and St. Jude's represent some of the hundreds of charities helped by ICS.

All winners of ICS-sanctioned cook-offs are qualified to compete at the World's Championship Chili Cook-off held each year in October. Bull Shoals's annual cook-off is one of the last competitions "chiliheads" can enter to qualify for the world championship competition.

The cost to enter the ICS competition is $25, and forms are available by contacting the White River Bull Shoals Chamber of Commerce at 800-447-1290. The deadline to enter the cook-off is the morning of the competition. Participants must be active ICS members (dues $42) and be at least 18 years of age. For more information on the ICS, visit www.chilicookoff.com.

Bull Shoals is a resort town in the Ozark Mountains of north-central Arkansas. Bull Shoals Lake, which spans some 45,000 surface acres, is a popular destination for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. And the White River below the dam at Bull Shoals Lake is internationally famous for its trout fishing. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains several campgrounds at Bull Shoals Lake, and the White River is home to a state park with campsites and home to several full-service, privately owned fishing resorts. For more information on the Bull Shoals area, visit www.bullshoals.org.