There Will Be a Hot Time at Chili Cook-Off

More than 60 professional and amateur chili chefs will fire up their caldrons for the ICS Western Regional Chili Cook-Off from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Brengle Terrace Park in Vista. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend this year’s cook-off, sponsored by the Vista Chamber of Commerce.

To round out the day, there will be a battle of country-Western bands, games, arts and crafts booths, line dance lessons, a gunfight show and a Ms. Chili Pepper and Mr. Hot Sauce contest. To supplement the chili tasting, there will be food booths and beer gardens.

The cook-off includes three areas of chili competition. The International Chili Society chili cookers will be required to make their concoction the day of the event. The winners in this category are picked by ICS judges.

The People’s Choice (over 18 years old) and the Junior Choice Chili cookers (under 18 years) prepare their chili in advance of the cook-off. The general public votes for the best chili in these categories.

Chili chefs in all three categories will compete for cash prizes. The first place winner in the professional ICS category will be awarded $750 and the opportunity to go on to the World Championships in San Marcos, Tex.

Chili in all divisions will be available for tasting by cook-off attendees. More than 70 different chilies will be available for sampling.

Admission to the cook-off is $3. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Historic Rancho Guajome restoration project. Last year, almost $2,000 was raised for the restoration.

Brengle Terrace Park is located at 1200 Vale Terrace Drive in Vista.