For The Animals
Chili Cookoff & Music Fest
Information for Cooks
Thank you for your interest in competing in the 4th Annual Fix Them All For The Animals Chili Cook-off on Sunday October 18 at the Heartwood Soundstage in Gainesville FL. More information about the event is at fixthemall.org/chili2026.
IN A NUTSHELL
We'll provide you with space for a 10' x 10' booth, serving cups and tasting spoons and all materials needed to submit chili for judging. You bring your tent, equipment, at least 1 gallon (2 would be better) of your best chili (or what you need to cook it on-site) and any sides you need. You make any kind of chili and are encouraged to cook ahead of time and bring a crockpot to keep it hot.
Vegan and vegetarian chilis are especially welcome. If we get enough entrants, we'll have separate judging tracks for meated and meatless.
HOW TO REGISTER
The registration fee is $25.
On-site registration begins at 8:00 am.
To pre-register, fill out and submit the online registration form by clicking here. The form will take you to a payment page where you can pay the $25 entry fee by credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
You can also pay by:
* mailing a check made out to “Fix Them All” to Fix Them All, 7257 NW 4th Blvd #20, Gainesville, FL 32607
* Venmo to Jo Ellen Sullenbarger @FixThemAll-JES 8205
* CashApp to letsfixthemall@gmail.com
* PayPal, credit card or debit card, use this QR code:
In all cases, make a note that the amount is for "chili registration". Once we match your payment with your registration, we'll get back to you with information and instructions.
PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES !!!
People’s Choice award for Best Chili will be based on ballots filled out by people who have purchased wristbands to participate. The winner will receive a handcrafted Mod Dog made by artist Kris Logan.
Judged awards will be based on blind taste testing. All chilis will be evaluated on a 1-10 scale in the categories: Aroma, Color, Consistency, Taste and Aftertaste.
Judged awards will be made for 3rd, 2nd and 1st place chilis. Prizes are:
First place $300 & certificate
Second place $200 & certificate
Third place $100 & certificate
WHAT TO BRING:
Cooks must provide their own tents and equipment for cooking. If you bring your chili pre-made, you should bring a crock-pot or some other way of keeping it hot. You will likely need to bring, at a minimum, the following extra gear:
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Table
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Dipping or serving spoon
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Knife
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Measuring spoons and cups
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Can opener
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Pot holders
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Tablecloth
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Paper towels
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Ladles, large and small
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Ice chest and ice
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Long-handled spoon
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Cutting board
If you need something you don’t have, ask us. We have a limited amount of extra equipment to loan.
Chili must be heated to at least 140 degrees throughout. Bring a food thermometer.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
The cookoff will open to chefs at 8:00 am. Chefs should go to the registration table to get their 10’ x 10’ assigned spot to set up their booths and cooking gear. There will be a "cooks’ meeting" at noon when the rules of the day will be explained and the cooks will be given an opportunity to ask questions. You will also receive your judging cups at this time and be told when to turn them into the judges. The event opens to the public at noon. People's Choice ballots may be submitted between noon and 3:00 pm.
At the designated turn-in time cooks will take their chili samples to the judging tent. The Chief Referee will oversee the marking of the judging cups for the blind judging and judging will begin. Awards will be announced at 3:30.

