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Home Decor, DIY Projects and Renovations

Home » From the Blog » TIPS FOR THE BEST CHILI COOK-OFF

TIPS FOR THE BEST CHILI COOK-OFF

by Regina 14 Comments

Have you ever wondered how to host a chili cook-off?

I love planning parties and today I’m sharing tips for the best chili cook-off party.

Hosting events can be so much fun. Sometimes they can be stressful, but I’m going to give you ideas and little touches to make your Chili Cook-Off a success.

Hi, I’m Regina, welcome to Saved From Salvage. Here you can find all sorts of DIY projects and tutorials, upcycling, repurposing and event planning ideas. I’m so glad you are here.

Make sure to subscribe below to get your weekly newsletter and inspiration galore.

If you are coming from Michele at Vintage Home Designs – welcome!

I’m so excited to be part of the Virtual Supper Club, an amazing group of bloggers host a supper each month and of course this month we are all part of a Chili Cook-Off.

Are you thinking about hosting a Chili Cook-off? Send me and email at [email protected] and I’ll be happy to email you a pdf file with all of my decor printables. They include a banner, scorecard, food signs, directions and more.

Table of Contents

  • WHAT YOU NEED FOR A CHILI COOK-OFF
    • CHILI COOK-OFF TABLE SETTING
    • CHILI COOK-OFF DECOR
    • THE CHILI COOK-OFF SIGNS & SCORECARDS
    • CHILI COOK-OFF AWARDS
  • MORE CHILI COOK-OFF INSPIRATION
  • SHOP A CHILI COOK-OFF EVENT

WHAT YOU NEED FOR A CHILI COOK-OFF

The first thing you need for a Chili Cook-off is Chili! Of course.

If it’s a cook-off, then you will need multiple pots of chili to be judged by the participants.

Have your guests all bring a pot of chili to add to the cook-off and you will only need to provide drinks, toppings, and cornbread or tortilla chips.

VINTAGE BOOKS AND SIMPLE WHITE TULIPS AND PEPPERS

For the toppings you can serve cheese, onions, jalapenos, green chiles, sour cream, avocado and limes.

The easiest get togethers have a theme and since Chili Cook-off is our theme, I decided to take it one step further and create a color palette to use for my tablescape and decor. Green and navy are the colors I chose.

I wanted something different.

This chili cook-off is a casual event, I wanted the tablescape to be laid back and relaxed. I decided to forego a tablecloth and let the rustic table be the star.

CHILI COOK-OFF TABLE SETTING

Since I chose green chiles and navy as my colors, I set my place setting with a woven green and blue placemat, on top of that I added a galvanized charger and topped with a light green charger.

YOU CAN SEE THE DRIED BEANS IN THE GALVANIZED TRAY

Next I added the bowl for the chili. I added blue and white paisley napkins and then created a DIY Green Chile Napkin Holder from clay.

MY DIY CLAY GREEN CHILE

In addition to the napkin holders, I added green chiles to the ends of my butter knives for the cornbread.

MY DIY GREEN CHILE KNIFE END

I used these individual serving boards to hold the cornbread and added a small ramekin for the homemade honey butter.

INDIVIDUAL BOARDS FOR CORNBREAD

I have a lovely collection of colorful bowls that I used for the toppings.

Each bowl has at least some green or navy on it.

COLORFUL BOWLS OF TOPPINGS

CHILI COOK-OFF DECOR

To continue my theme of green chiles, I created a banner to hang in the window.

THE SIMPLE BANNER CAN BE YOURS!

Next I had these white lanterns forever and decided to add little green chiles on the and hang them from my lights.

FRESH AVOCADO, LIMES AND PEPPERS SERVE AS DECOR

I also added several types of green chiles to the table to tie the theme together.

In a vintage wooden scoop, I layered peppers, avocados and limes keeping with the green.

Useful and decorative, they add a nice pop of color.

For my main centerpiece, I used a new galvanized tray and filled it with dried cannelini beans and then added some peppers and navy candles.

CANDLELIGHT MAKES EVERYTHING COZY

THE CHILI COOK-OFF SIGNS & SCORECARDS

I love to create small signs, they take minutes and add a sweet touch to your events.

This sign welcomed guests to the Chili Cook-off and listed the menu and game plan.

A SIMPLE FRAMED WELCOME

For your guests to judge the chili’s you need to create a Chili Cook-Off Scorecard.

I’ve created one that can be sent to you if you email me.

For my chili cook-off, I had guests select three different categories.

The best overall, the hottest and the most creative. I wanted to keep it simple.

MY DIY SCORECARDS

In addition to the welcome sign and scorecards, I made these little signs for in front of the different pots of chili. This way you could remember and judge by number.

SMALL SIGNS FOR CHILI POTS

I also made these for in front of the various toppings. I added the green chiles to every sign to have a cohesive look.

IDENTIFY THE TOPPINGS

CHILI COOK-OFF AWARDS

Of course you have to have some sort of prize for the winners.

I picked up these little trophies for the winners.

Instead of trophies you could gift wooden spoons, or some great potholders.

A giftcard is also a great prize.

If you want, bragging rights could be enough.

A LITTLE TROPHY AND VOTIVE IN AN EMPTY CHILE CAN

I tucked some white tulips in the trophy. You can also use empty cans of green chiles or peppers or tomatoes and add flowers or like I did above, a small votive.

Next up on is Jen from Midwest Life and Style. You can see her tablescape here.

I hope you were able to gleam some tips and ideas for your own chili cook-off. It’s truly a fun event and who doesn’t enjoy getting together over good food?

Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time,

XO, Regina

MORE CHILI COOK-OFF INSPIRATION

Meet the other contestants in the Chili Cook-Off. Make sure to visit each of them to see their creative tablescapes.

RACHEL – THE PONDS FARMHOUSE

STACY – BRICKS AND BLOOMS

ANNE AND ANNMARIE – SIMPLY 2 MOMS

JEN – MIDWEST LIFE AND STYLE

MICHELE – VINTAGE HOME DESIGNS

SHOP A CHILI COOK-OFF EVENT

Did you know you could click on an image and order? I am an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase from the links provided, I receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting my business.

Filed Under: Tablescapes

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Comments

  1. AnnMarie -Si says

    February 23, 2023 at 11:49 AM

    I love everything about your table especially the color scheme…so pretty! The printables are perfect for anyone wanting to host their own chili cook-off. Thanks so much for joining us this month Regina.

    Reply
    • Regina says

      February 23, 2023 at 8:34 PM

      AnnMarie – Thanks so much! So happy to join again this month!

      Reply
  2. Michele - vintage home designs says

    February 23, 2023 at 11:51 AM

    So many cute ideas Regina! I love the blue and green theme and the peppers on each plate.

    Reply
    • Regina says

      February 23, 2023 at 8:14 PM

      Thanks so much Michele. So glad to be a part this month!

      Reply
  3. Jen says

    February 23, 2023 at 12:11 PM

    This is so cute and creative, Regina. I LOVE the pretty blue and green color combination. And all of your printables are adorable and perfect for the occasion.

    So happy you could join us again this month. Can’t wait for all the recipes on Saturday!

    Reply
    • Regina says

      February 23, 2023 at 8:14 PM

      Thanks so much Jen. I’m so glad to be a part again.

      Reply
  4. Rachel Harper says

    February 23, 2023 at 1:31 PM

    Regina
    Your table ideas are so fun. I love the clay peppers. Such a great idea. So happy you could join us this month.

    Reply
    • Regina says

      February 23, 2023 at 8:14 PM

      Rachel – I love your supper club, so happy to be part of it today!

      Reply
  5. stacy says

    February 24, 2023 at 6:52 AM

    Regina I love your table! It looks beautiful and the decor is so fun! So glad you could join us this month!

    Reply
    • Regina says

      February 24, 2023 at 6:54 AM

      Thanks so much Stacy – so appreciate the chance to join!

      Reply
  6. Renae Frey says

    February 25, 2023 at 7:16 AM

    Oh my goodness! So many great tips. I love
    All of the chili’s. So festive.

    Reply
  7. Allyson @ Southern Sunflowers says

    February 27, 2023 at 1:04 PM

    Awesome table setting! Love all the special details even down to the small ones like the votive in the chili can. Thank you for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty!

    Reply
  8. Cara says

    February 28, 2023 at 3:08 PM

    What a beautiful table setting Regina! I love the pops of blue and green. I am thinking a chili cook off sounds like a wonderful idea while we are still experiencing these cold temperatures. Thank you for sharing with Whimsy Home Wednesday.

    Reply

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Hi there!

I’m Regina, I have a passion for DIY, Home Decor, Entertaining and Party Planning! One project at a time I am transforming my home into one that makes my heart happy.

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