SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, September 21, 2017 |  4 – 8 pm
 

2016 AWARDS

Congratulations and thank you to all of our participants - it was a wonderful event! Below you'll find a list of winners in all categories. We're already looking forward to next year! Save the date: Thursday, September 21, 2017

From the Professional Judges

The Real Deal: Mayo Clinic KER Unit
2) Five West
3) Nerofibromatosis Network

Anything Goes: Somerby Golf Club
2) Premier Bank (Pappy's)
3) The Loop

Vegetarian: Boys & Girls Club of Rochester
2) Rochester Sand & Gravel (Tonic)
3) Boys & Girls Club of Blooming Prairie
 

From the Public Voting

People's Choice: Neurofibromatosis Network
2) Smart-HR
3) Estelle's

Spicy Spirit: Mayo Clinic KER Unit
2) Med City Moms
3) Neurofibromatosis Network

Kids' Choice: Med City Moms
2) Boys & Girls Club of Blooming Prairie
3) Estelle's
 

Homebrew Contest

Brewers' Choice: John Eischen, "Ale to the Queen" Red Ale
2) Tony Belhumer, "Caledonian Sleeper" Smoked Coffee Porter
3) Adam Meyer, "Coffee & Cigarettes" Porter

People's Choice: John Eischen, "Ale to the Queen" Red Ale
2) Brett Lincoln, "Preserving the Union" Cream Ale
3) Tony Belhumer, "Caledonian Sleeper" Smoked Coffee Porter

ABOUT CHILI CHALLENGE

Chili Challenge is an event to generate community and financial support for Boys & Girls Club of Rochester. We expect to have 3,000+ 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.

After much success in 2015, we are thrilled to bring back the Homebrew Competition. Many local beer enthusiasts will offer samples of their home-brewed beer for tasting, side-by-side with Rochester’s professional brewing companies. 

Thank you to our 2016 Chili Challenge Committee!

Co-Chairs
Naura Anderson
Bonnie McGoon

Team Acquisition
Claudia Tabini, Chair
Chad DeCook
Breanna Holtan
Jill Rock

Homebrew Contest
John Eishen, Chair
John Beatty
Kerk Johnson

Entertainment
Cecelia Schermerhorn, Chair
Sara Broughton

Marketing
Heather Nessler

Volunteer Coordinator
Lindsey Rippentrop

Facilities
Tamara Berg
Cindy Hanson

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

SMOKIN' SPONSOR

ZESTY SPONSORS

additional support

MEDIA PARTNERS

ACTIVITY SPONSORS

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 & 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.

CHILI TEAMS

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)

All participants must register ahead of time 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

This year we are introducing a Homebrew Competition to the event. More than 20 local beer enthusiasts will offer samples of their home-brewed beer for tasting, side-by-side with Rochester’s professional brewing companies. We invite you to participate in this new level of 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?  

The Homebrew Competition will be judged in three 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). Judges include: Steve Finnie of Grand Rounds Brewing Company, Austin Jevne of Forager Brewing Company, Donovan Seitz of Kinney Creek Brewing, and Brandon Schulz of LTS Brewing Company.

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 specificinformation 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 LTS Brewing Company in Rochester! Winner of the “Brewer’s Choice” competition willbe invited to brew their winning recipe* with Head Brewer Brandon Schulz. The winning beer will be offered on tap at the LTS Taproom 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 LTS.

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.

Root River Jam is an original acoustic Americana band. Based in SE MN, their blend of many different styles includes folk, rock, celtic, blues and jazz! They perform the original music of guitarist and front man Dave Wilson, as well as covers of Americana classics. In the words of music blogger Jeff Hansel, Wilson’s music will “take you into the clouds and beyond with incredible instrumentals and joyous singing that's downright fun to hear.” Upright bassist Blake Bonde’s formal classical training gives him a broad musical vocabulary, ranging from furious jazz pizzicato to lush arco. Violinist David Beyer, who grew up in Missouri playing fiddle contests from a young age, brings a twangy edge to Root River Jam’s jazzy and energetic sound.

A long-time Rochester fixture in the music scene, Jeremy Jewell plays a variety of harmonica accompanied acoustic music with vocals.

HOSPITALITY SPONSOR

Thank you to The Doggery for providing hospitality for our musicians.

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 of the things you can expect at this year's event:

Human Foosball
Prairie Walls Climbing Wall
Photo Booth
Giant Bounce House
Toddler Bounce House
Giant Jenga

TICKETS

Tickets are available at the door!

$15 - Adult Chili Tasting
$25 - Adult Chili & Beer Tasting
$7 - Youth Chili Tasting (ages 6-12)
FREE - Kids under 6 

Pre-purchased tickets will be available at Will Call.

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!