Chili Cook-Off Information and Application

45^th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Chili Cook-Off Information and Application

Thank you for your interest in entering our 45^th Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, June 28, 2025! The Ocean Beach MainStreet Association sponsors this event. Proceeds from the Chili Cook-Off go towards Ocean Beach MainStreet Association programs and projects.  Please review the following information and submit your application as soon as possible. Deliciousness, glory, and cash prizes await! 

Schedule

Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
General Fair Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Chili Cook-Off Setup: begins at 6:00 a.m.
Mandatory meeting for Chili Cook-Off Participants: 10:00 a.m. at the Judges’ Tent (additional procedures and essential information will be discussed)
Chili Cook-Off Opens: 11:00 a.m. (your chili must be up to the required temperature of 165 degrees F by this time)
Chili Cook-Off Closes: 2:30 p.m.
Awards Presentation: The presentation starts at 3:00 p.m. on the Main Stage. The Head Cook or representative from each team must be available to appear on stage during the ceremony.

Location

The Chili Cook-Off is located in the grassy triangle at the foot of Newport Avenue just north of the festival’s Main Stage.

Parking

When you arrive on Saturday, June 28, you will be assigned your space and given your parking pass for one standard-sized vehicle to park in the lot just north of the Lifeguard Tower. All cars must be parked in the reserved area before 9:00 a.m. because cars will not be allowed inside the fair boundaries after that time. 

Application Fees and Requirements

Non-refundable entry fee: Amateur fee is $35, and the Restaurant fee is $50, payable to Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (cash, check, credit card, or money order)
County Health Forms: Please read these San Diego County Health Department forms (PDF) and complete the areas highlighted in yellow. Then, return these forms with your entry fee and application form. Online applicants may scan and upload their completed forms below.
Application form: Please fill out and submit the application form below with your entry fee and health forms to apply. The application deadline is Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Acceptance: You will be notified by OBMA when your application is accepted.

Chili Preparation Information

All chili must be heated on-site, be ready to serve by 11:00 a.m., and be at the proper temperature according to Health Department requirements (165 degrees F). Inspectors will check the temperature of your chili.
For contestants who will be preparing and cooking on site: plan to set up immediately upon arrival. Heating your chili in smaller pots is much easier to ensure it will be up to temperature.
For contestants who will be preparing off-site in advance, you must provide documentation that your chili was prepared in a certified kitchen.

Contest Requirements/Things You Must Provide

• Chili: You must provide 10 gallons of chili on the day of the event
• Booth: We will provide a 10'x10' space marked with numbered flags. You must provide your 10'x10' canopy, a table across the front of your booth, sides for your tent (required if cooking on site), and a floor covering (all grass must be covered per health department). Tents must be secured in case of wind gusts.
• Equipment: You must provide your equipment for preparing, cooking, and heating your chili (Sterno does not work to heat up chili). Electricity is not provided; you must provide gas heat or a grill heat source. You must provide 2 or 3 serving utensils to fill 2-ounce tasting cups.
• Handwashing: You must provide your handwashing setup as required by the County Health Department
• Photo ID: We will hold your valid photo ID in exchange for a fire extinguisher for your booth. This is a requirement.
• Decorations: We suggest festive decorations and/or costumes. There is a prize for the best OB Spirit Award!

We Will Provide:

• Tasting Spoons
• Napkins
• Tasting cups (2 ounces)
• One 32-ounce judging cup
• Ticket box
• Booth siding (limited siding available for on-site cookers – reserve in advance)
• Fire extinguisher (We will hold your valid photo ID in exchange for your booth’s fire extinguisher, Which is required.)
• Thermometer
• Any other items (not listed above) that the County Health Department might require

How the Contest Works

All tickets are sold at the ticket booth. No chili competitor will deal with money. Chili samples will be sold in two ways: 1. as a single taste ticket ($2 per taste) or 2. People’s Choice Master Ticket ($25), entitles the ticket holder to the tastes of all competitors’ chili entries and the opportunity to vote for their favorite. Master Ticket holders will present their ticket to you, and you will mark off your booth number. You will be provided with ticket collection boxes for single-taste tickets (exchange one ticket per taste). When you run out of chili, notify the Chili Crew Chief.

Judging

Chili judging will be based on ICS guidelines for:

• Consistency
• Taste – like chili
• Color – looks like chili
• Smell – good like chili
• Meat (if used) – tender

Prizes and Awards

*AMATEUR DIVISION*
Judges’ Awards
1st Place $400
2nd Place $250

People’s Choice
1st Place $450
2nd Place $300
3rd Place $200

SPECIAL AWARDS  
Hottest Chili - $50
OB Spirit Award - $150

*RESTAURANT DIVISION*
Judges’ Awards
1st Place Plaque + bragging rights
2nd Place Plaque + bragging rights

People’s Choice Restaurant Division
1st Place Award Plaque + bragging rights

Chili Cook-Off Application

Applicant: Your application will be considered ONLY after you have completed the below and given your electronic signature. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Once a contestant has been accepted, there will be absolutely NO REFUNDS of fees. The No Refund Policy includes situations in which the event is canceled as a result of factors beyond the control of the event organizers, including but not limited to war, terrorist act, natural disaster, or order of any Civil or Military Authority. Such situations are beyond the control of the event organizers, and vendors accept the risk of loss.

The applicant agrees that the OBMA/Street Fair Committee will not be held liable for legal damages. The OBMA/Street Fair Committee, a nonprofit corporation, assumes no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, or claim arising from the participant’s acts or omissions in the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off. The applicant hereby agrees to hold the Association/Committee, the Directors, and Members harmless from any claim arising out of the applicant’s entry, acts, or omissions in said Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival or any accident, injury, or damage involved therein, including but not limited to attorney fees and court costs.

Please provide your electronic signature (this signifies that you have read and agree to abide by the terms and conditions in the 2025 Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Chili Cook-Off Information and Application) and the additional information below.

Please note: You must also include your completed County Health Department forms (download these as a PDF). Attach your completed forms below, email them to [email protected], or fax them to (619) 224-4976.