Calling all cooks for Chili Cook-Off

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (January 7, 2020) – The battle is on Saturday, January 25th in the Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment's 5th annual Chili Cook Off! This year the Meadowlands has added a new category, Chili Verde, in addition to Home-style Chili.

Registration for the cook off runs through January 24th. Those interested in participating can visit http://playmeadowlands.com/event_detail.aspx?id=13416 for rules and information. As of January 7th, 20 contestants are already registered to compete for the $1,000 grand prize plus a spot in the 2020 International Chili Society World Championship Cook Off.

Home-style chili is defined by the International Chili Society as any kind of meat/combination of meats and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, chili powders, various spices and other ingredients. Beans are required. Contestants must cook their chili on site between 4p.m. and 7p.m. with judging promptly after.

Chili Verde is any kind of meat/combination of meats cooked with chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed. Preference is not given to either cut meat, ground meat, shredded meat or cubed meat. Contestants must cook their chili on site between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. with judging promptly after.

With the expanded cook-off format there are also additional cash prizes:

Home-style Chili:

* $1,000 Grand Prize plus a spot in the ICS's World Championship Home-style Chili Cook-off
* $500 – 2nd
* $250 – 3rd

Chili Verde:

* $1,000 Grand Prize plus a spot in the ICS's World Championship Chili Verde Cook-off
* $500 – 2nd
* $250 – 3rd

"We are excited for this year's expanded chili cook-off," said Meadowlands General Manager and COO Jason M. Settlemoir. "This event continues to get bigger and bigger each year. It has become an event our fans look forward to each January."

Racetrack guests are also welcome to sample the chili and vote for their favorite. The fan favorite cook will walk away with the $250 prize. Fan favorite voting begins 8 pm; voting ballots are available at the Players Club Desk and in the live racing program.

In addition to the chili competition, a separate side contest for homemade salsa will also be conducted offering the winner a $500 first prize.

As an added bonus, fans can enjoy live harness racing with first race post time at 7:15 pm.

For complete chili event details visit http://playmeadowlands.com/event_detail.aspx?id=13416

by Rachel Ryan, for the Meadowlands