Chili Challenge is a family-friendly event to generate community and financial support for Boys & Girls Club of Rochester. Over 2,500 attendees will sample chilies from more than 25 participants including local businesses, restaurants, and other community representatives. The event will offer family activities, music, decorated booths, and a variety of chilies and other foods to enjoy. Attendees of our popular Homebrew Contest will sample beer made by dozens of local homebrewers and Rochester’s craft breweries!

Thank you to our Chili Challenge Committee!

Co-Chairs
Naura Anderson
Bonnie McGoon

Team Acquisition
Rudy Naul
Stephen Pascoe
Lindsey Rippentrop

Homebrew Contest
John Eishen
Kerk Johnson

Entertainment
Jennifer Becker
Jessica Sund

SMOKIN' SPONSORs

additional support

MEDIA PARTNERS

Homebrew Contest Sponsors

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 and booth space
• Twelve (12) tickets to the event
• Premier logo placement on all advertising and event materials, including event program, event signage, and Chili Challenge and Boys & Girls Club of Rochester websites 
• Verbal acknowledgment in all media interviews
• Twelve (12) reciprocal social media mentions

SMOKIN':  $5,000 

• One chili entry and booth space
• Ten (10) tickets to the event
• Logo placement on all advertising and event materials, including event program, event signage, and Chili Challenge and Boys & Girls Club of Rochester websites 
• Six (6) reciprocal social media mentions

ZESTY:  $2,500

• One chili entry and booth space
• Eight (8) tickets to the event
• Logo placement on promotional poster, event program, event signage, and Chili Challenge and Boys & Girls Club of Rochester websites 
• Four (4) reciprocal social media mentions

SAUCY:  $1,250  

• One chili entry and booth space
• Six (6) tickets to the event
• Logo placement on promotional poster, event program, event signage, and Chili Challenge and Boys & Girls Club of Rochester websites 
• Three (3) reciprocal social media mentions

PROMOTIONAL TEAM:  $600  
limited to 6 partners

• One chili entry and booth space 
• BGCR produced promotional video highlighting your team for use on social media
• Logo recognition on event signage, event program, and Chili Challenge website
• Four (4) tickets to the event 
• Four (4) reciprocal social media mentions
   

CHILI TEAM:  $300 

• One chili entry and booth space 
• Logo recognition on event signage, event program, and Chili Challenge website
• Four (4) tickets to the event 
• One (1) reciprocal social media mention
   

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.

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!  Want in on the action? Here's what you need to know:
 

Chilies will be judged  in a blind tasting by a 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 pasta, which are strictly forbidden
• Anything Goes - the name says it all
• Vegetarian - this is a chili made without any meat products

*Each category will have a limited number of entries available - early registration is strongly encouraged!
 

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

Click here to download the team information & registration form.

Participation fee:  $330 per team, or $600 to participate as a promoted team
(additional sponsorship benefits at higher levels)

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.  

2017 CHILI TEAMS

Click here to see past event winners in all categories!

HOMEBREW COMPETITION

2018 will be the fourth year of our popular Homebrew Competition. Dozens of 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 increasingly popular competition!

PARTICIPATION LEVELS:

BREWING CO.:  One Keg + $330 donation 

• One booth space for serving beer samples
• Four (4) tickets to the event 
• Logo placement on event program, signage, and Chili Challenge website
• Two (2) reciprocal social media mentions

HOMEBREWER:  5 Gallon + $10 donation

• One craft beer entry & booth space
• One ticket 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 22

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 Kinney Creek Brewery in Rochester! Winner of the “Brewers' Choice” competition will be invited to brew their winning recipe* with Head Brewer Donovan Seitz. The winning beer will be offered on tap at Kinney Creek 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 Kinney Creek.

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 Homebrew information & registration form.

ACTIVITES

Chili Challenge will have a variety of activities for the entire family! Activity tickets are $1 each and available for purchase at the event or in a bundle of 10 in advance. Activities range from 0 – 3 tickets to participate. Here are a few examples of past activities; our 2018 Activities will be posted later this summer.

Human Foosball
Prairie Walls Climbing Wall
Archery Addiction
Photo Booth
Giant Bounce House
Toddler Bounce House
Med City Freeze Football
Med City FC Soccer

Thank You to our 2017 Activity Sponsors

Can't attend Chili Challenge, but want to support Boys & Girls Club of Rochester? Click the button below to make a 100% tax-deductible donation to support youth in the community!