2015 SC State Chili Cook-Off Heating Up
March 30, 2015
BELTON, SC – The 6th annual International Chili Society (ICS) sanctioned South Carolina State Chili Cook-off, presented by Marvin’s Produce, will take place onSaturday, April 11, in downtown Belton. The event kicks off with chili cooks from all over the United States setting up and preparing to fill the air with the aroma of chili peppers and spices at 7 A.M., with public chili sampling beginning at 11 A.M..
A brand new Home-style Chili category has been added to the cook-off this year. The “Home-style” category allows contestants to make chili just like they make at home, although this chili must be prepared and cooked on site. “Home-style” chili is an open category which means cooks can use anything and everything in the recipe, including beans, which are prohibited in other ICS categories. These chilis will be judged using a “blind judging” format, on criteria that includes flavor, texture, aroma, blend of spices and color. The fee to enter this category is $25 and includes home-style ICS membership and offers a chance to represent South Carolina at the ICS World Championship Chili Cook-Off in October. Other competition categories include the standard ICS Red Chili, Chili Verde and Salsa.
For the second year in a row, the “Hot Bowl of Chili Eating Contest” is slated to entertain us once again with contestants eating as much hot chili as possible in a timed eating contest and is made possible by the Belton Area Museum Association. Also returning this year is the Pucker Butt Pepper Company, which is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s hottest pepper, the Carolina Reaper. They’ll be selling seeds, hot sauces and more. All types of other vendors will be on hand with food options such as funnel cakes, BBQ, hot dogs, pork skins, drinks and more. There will also be select vendors with unique crafts and boutique items.
WSSL-FM 100.5’s Ellis and Bradley morning team, featuring Bill Ellis and Beth Bradley, will be on hand doing a live remote, handing out their own chili recipe, and interacting with the crowd and their fans. Live entertainment will also be featured this year; “Relentless Souls” will perform from 12:30 until 4:30.
For more information, visit our website at www.scchilicookoff.com, our Facebook page (SC-Chili-Cookoff), or contact Fatt Matt Lusk at 864-940-3111 or [email protected].
