The 9th Annual
Chili Challenge

To benefit Boys & Girls Club of ROchester

Thursday, September 14, 2017 | 4 – 8 pm

Chili Challenge is an event to generate community and financial support for Boys & Girls Club of Rochester. We expect to have 2,500+ attendees sampling chilies from over 25 participants. Participants will include local businesses, restaurants, and other community representatives. The event will offer family activities, live music, decorated booths, and a variety of chilies and other foods to enjoy.

2017 will be the third year of the popular Homebrew Competition. More than 20 local beer enthusiasts will offer samples of their home-brewed beer for tasting, side-by-side with Rochester’s craft brewing companies. We invite you to participate in this growing level of competition!

Thank you to our 2017 Chili Challenge Committee!

Co-Chairs
Naura Anderson
Bonnie McGoon

Team Acquisition
Breanna Holtan, Chair
Rachel Bohman
Scott Hoss

Homebrew Contest
John Eishen, Chair
John Beatty
Steve Finnie
Kerk Johnson

Entertainment
Sara Broughton

Marketing
Heather Nessler

Volunteer Coordinator
Lindsey Rippentrop

Facilities
Tamara Berg
Cindy Hanson

Staff
Jodi Millerbernd, Executive Director
Jessica Sund, Operations Manager
Ellen Tolleson, Assistant Executive Director
Lori Trotman, Director of Marketing & Special Events

SMOKIN' SPONSOR

ZESTY SPONSORS

Saucy Sponsors

additional support

MEDIA PARTNERS

Homebrew Contest Sponsors

Click here for more information on Homebrew Contest Sponsorship.

SPONSORSHIP

Our generous sponsors provide much-needed support for Boys & Girls Club of Rochester programs. Please contact Lori Trotman, Director of Marketing & Special Events, to further discuss sponsorship opportunities: ltrotman@bgclubroch.com or 507.226.0107.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS:

BURNIN': $10,000

One chili entry & booth space
Twelve tickets to the event
Premiere logo placement on all media recognition & event materials, including Chili Challenge and Boys & Girls Club Rochester websites, news media, and tickets

SMOKIN': $5,000

One chili entry & booth space
Ten tickets to the event
Logo placement on all media recognition & event materials
Sponsor recognition on Chili Challenge website and Boys & Girls Club Rochester website

ZESTY: $2,500

One chili entry & booth space
Eight tickets to the event
Logo placement on some media recognition & event materials
Sponsor recognition on Chili Challenge website and Boys & Girls Club Rochester website

SAUCY: $1,250

One chili entry & booth space
Six tickets to the event
Company logo exposure on Chili Challenge website

BOOTH: $300

One chili entry & booth space
Four tickets to the event
Team recognition at event

ACTIVITY: $300

Recognition at one of the event activities
One banner displayed at event
Four tickets to event

Click here to download more information about sponsorship.

2017 CHILI TEAMS

Click here to see past event winners in all categories!

Want to Participate?

Teams can be made up of individuals from businesses and corporations, a group of private individuals with a darn good recipe, or commercial vendors that are willing to pit their talents against anyone – all for a great cause!

Here’s what you need to know if you choose to participate:

Chilies will be judged by a local panel of judges in the following categories:

The Real Deal- any kind of meat or combination of meats, cooked with chili peppers, various other spices, and other ingredients with the exception of items such as beans or spaghetti, which are strictly forbidden.
Anything Goes- the name says it all
Vegetarian- this is a chili made without any meat products

The following categories will be judged by the public:

Peoples’ Choice- people attending the Chili Challenge will vote on their favorite chili
Spicy Spirit- people attending the Chili Challenge will vote on their favorite decorated booth and enthusiastic team
Kids’ Choice- kids attending the Chili Challenge will vote on their favorite chili

Participation fee: $300 per booth
(additional sponsorship benefits at higher levels)

Donate

All chili must be prepared in a commercial kitchen. Boys & Girls Club of Rochester has a list of available commercial kitchens in the community; if you need help finding a kitchen, please contact Lori Trotman at 507-226-0107 or ltrotman@bgclubroch.org.

All participants must register in advance and adhere to all rules and regulations set forth by Boys & Girls Club of Rochester and Olmsted County Public Health.

Click here to download the team information & registration form.

HOMEBREW COMPETITION

PARTICIPATION LEVELS:

BREWING CO.: One Keg + $300 donation

One craft beer entry & booth space
Four tickets to the event
Company recognition at event

HOMEBREWER: 5 gallon donation

One craft beer entry & booth space
Two tickets to the event
Individual recognition at event

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

DOES THE BEER NEED TO BE BOTTLED AND LABELED?

The homebrew donation requirement is five gallons; beer may be in bottles or a keg. Labels are not necessary, but we will ask for the name and style of your brew. Tasting cups will be provided by BGCR.

HOW MANY BEERS CAN I ENTER?

Registrations are taken on a first come, first served basis and there are a limited number of entries. In our inaugural year, participants are welcome to bring multiple brews, as long as you provide the minimum five gallon donation of each.

WHAT STYLES OF BEERS ARE ACCEPTED?

Our theme is “Beers that pair well with chili,” so the style you choose is up to you. All entries will be judged based on the same criteria, not categorized by style. (See GRAND PRIZE section below for stipulations for the "Brewer's Choice" winner.)

HOW IS THE COMPETITION JUDGED? Note: BREWER’S CHOICE JUDGING TAKES PLACE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

The Homebrew Competition will be judged in two different categories - Brewer’s Choice (done between four teams: one professional brewer with one BJCP [Beer Judge Certification Program] judge per team), Best of Show, and People’s Choice (voted on by event attendees).

IS MY DONATION TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?

Boys & Girls Club of Rochester is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Please consult with your tax professional regarding the specifics of this charitable contribution and any potential deductions.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FOOD SAFETY/LEGAL DISCLOSURE:

All beverages must be made and transported in containers and equipment that shall not allow the migration of toxic substances.

State law requires each station to include a disclosure related to home brew that states “the unlicensed naturally fermented fruit juices or beer being offered is homemade and not subject to state inspection, and may be consumed by persons over the age of 21 at their own risk.” The notice must include the name and address of the person who processed and bottled the beverage. This will be provided to participants by BGCR and must remain visible in the participant’s booth.

A member of the Chili Challenge committee will be reaching out to you in late August to collect specific information about your beer for promotional material, signage, etc...

GRAND PRIZE:

Homebrewers will compete for not only bragging rights, but the opportunity to have your beer brewed and on tap at F orager Brew ery in Rochester! Winner of the “Brewer’s Choice” competition will be invited to brew their winning recipe* with Head Brewer Austin Jevne. The winning beer will be offered on tap at Forager and $1 of each pint sold will be donated back to the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester.

*Limited to styles that can be brewed and conditioned with the equipment available at Forager.