Chili Guidelines

Individuals no longer need a licensed kitchen—with proof of USDA meat! 

Businesses and individuals in Sweetwater County are invited to showcase their winning chili recipe at Western Wyoming Community College’s Chili Cook-Off. It’s FREE to enter! Western will be accepting registration forms until January 17. In a blind taste test, judges will pick 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for each red and green chilis. There will also be a People's Choice Award for the public to vote on their favorite recipe. Winners will be announced at Western’s wrestling dual. You need not be present to win. A Western representative will reach out to you.  

If you are a business entering the contest, Western will make you a cohost on our social media event post. The College will include your business name in press releases and feature the business logo on westernwyoming.edu/homecoming. With multiple press releases, we suggest you get your registration form early to capitalize! If you win, you will also be highlighted again on social and in another press release. Awards will be given to showcase your business.  

If you are interested in being a chili participant, below is a guide to the steps and general information: 

  1. Commit to Saturday, January 25, to serving chili at Western Wyoming Community College from 10AM to 3PM. A Western employee will be assigned to help set up and serve chili if needed. We require a minimum of three 8-quart crock pots of chili. Western will provide a table, electrical, chili sampling cups, spoons, and napkins will be provided for each station. Just bring your winning recipe!  
  2. Commit to reviewing the Wyoming State Food Safety guidelines and Temporary Food requirements by Sweetwater County. There are protocols that must be followed. Highlights include, chili must be made in sanitary conditions to feed a crowd. Any meat used for chili must be USDA-certified. Be prepared to show your receipt and packaging to a health inspector on the day of the event if needed. Three different ladles are needed for each crockpot to prevent contamination. State guidelines can be found here: https://agriculture.wy.gov/corecode/uploads/document6/uploaded_pdfs/corecode/chapt32012_1285.pdf Sweetwater County requirements can be found here: https://agriculture.wy.gov/corecode/uploads/document6/uploaded_pdfs/corecode/title35%20Traditional%20Food%20Act_1753.pdf
  3. Decide what chili, green or red, you are making. Determine where your chili heat lands on the Scoville Scale. Western will provide a card at your station to inform the public and the judges how hot your chili is. Yes, if you are a die-hard chili aficionado, we do allow multiple chili entries. The same rules apply with the addition of it being at two stations in the atrium for sake of power and flow of traffic. Again, Western can assist you in serving if needed. 
  4. Fill out your registration form online or download and then send the completed form to Mikayla Wonnacott at mwonnacott@westernwyoming.edu. If you are making two chilis, please submit two registration forms. 
  5. On Saturday, January 25, cook your chili and arrive at Western at 9AM to set up. Communications such as your exact location and a map will be sent before the event on. 
  6. Prepare three bowls of chili for the judges, Western will provide the bowls. How you present your chili is nice, but not part of the judging. Deliver your chili to room 1406 (highlighted on the map) between 10:30-11:00AM. Assistants to the judges will label them for the judges and reheat the chili at the time of judging. Winners will be announced at the wrestling dual and need not be present to win. 
  7. If you run out of chili early, we ask that you remain and still stamp cards for the public to receive raffle tickets. The event closes at 2PM and following this time you are welcome to pack up. 
  8. Attend the wrestling dual to find out if you won or be on the lookout on Western’s social media pages that evening. A Western representative will also reach out to all winners to take their photo, provide the award, and prizes.  

For questions, please call Mikayla Wonnacott, the Public Relations Specialist at Western Wyoming Community College at 307-382-1858 or mwonnacott@westernwyoming.edu.