Many restaurants, professional chefs, and amateur chefs are participating in the fourth annual Chili Cook-Off at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. There is free admission. To sample chili, attendees purchase $9 “tasting kits” (includes 5 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and People’s Choice voting ballot). A portion of sales will benefit Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services.
Competing restaurants include Aquarius, Café Ella, Café Sparrow, Mackenzie Bar & Grill, Parish Publick House, Seabright Brewery, and Solaire Restaurant & Bar.
The competition features four categories:
• Amateur Red
• Amateur Vegetarian Red
• Professional Red
• Professional Vegetarian Red
Awards (including plaques and cash) will be given to best Chili in each category, People’s Choice, Most Tasted, and Most Original Booth.
Here is the schedule:
9:00-10:00am Preparation period (No heat)
10:00am-1:00pm Cooking period (3 hours)
10:00am Tasting kits go on sale
1:00pm Public tasting begins
4:00pm Winners announced in beach amphitheater
Last year’s winners included chefs from Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing (Emily Thomas won Best Professional Vegetarian) and Parish Publick House (Zach Willis won Best Professional Red).
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.