Chefs de Cuisine Classic Chili Cook-Off Slated Sunday Afternoon in Long Beach

Beans are out.

As any purist will tell you with at least a hint of hauteur, beans have no place in chili, at least not the classic chili, and the Chefs de Cuisine of California traffic only in the real thing.

Whatever, the chefs will compete at a chili cook-off Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Long Beach Police Academy, 7380 E. Carson St., an event open to the public for a $2 entrance fee; children free. Information: (818) 889-1161.

Chili will be on sale, made by the chefs’ apprentices, while the chefs themselves compete for a first prize of $100, bragging rights and a trip to the state cook-off later this year. Rules are relatively simple: “No thickeners,” association spokesperson Kay Corning said, “and the meat chunks must be of a specified size. Seasonings, though, are up to the chef’s imagination: cinnamon, cumin, chocolate, tequila, you name it.”

There will be a Western band and a Miss Chili Pepper contest, the latter to be judged on poise, personality, looks and costume.