The Chili Bean Cook Off will take place on Sunday, September 12th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Bean Block, located on Central Avenue between 10th St. and 9th St. in Downtown Tracy

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Chili Bean Cook Off Application

Bean Demo Cooking Stage Application

Chili Bean Cook Off 

The Chili Bean Cook Off will take place on Sunday, September 12^th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Bean Block, located on Central Avenue between 10^th St. and 9^th St. in Downtown Tracy.  

To access the Cook Off area, you must park in the parking lot at 9th and B St., across from the Post Office with back entrance to FTM Mortgage & Community Bank.  Park at the furtherst end close to Gillet Alley.  Cars will not be able to drive onto 10th St.  You must bring in your equipment via Gillet Alley.

The Cook Off tent will be set up on Central Avenue between 10^th St. and 9^th St. in Downtown Tracy. To enter the Cook-Off Tent, you will bring in your equipment and supplies from Gillet Alley, located next to Girard's Deli.   

Contestant application forms are available at the Chamber office.  Fee(s) must be paid and entry form must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 9th to the Chamber Office located at 223 E. 10th St., Tracy, CA 95376.

Chili Cook Off Rules 

• Check in for the Chili Bean Cook off will be from 8:00 am – 10:00 a.m.
• Stoves go on and cooking starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 1:00 p.m. This will be a blind judging competition which begins at 1:30 p.m.
• One vehicle per entrant will be permitted into the competition area to drop off supplies between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.. Areas must be set up and vehicles removed by 9 a.m. No vehicles will be allowed back into the competition area until the event ends at 3:30 p.m..
• Access to the loading and unloading area will be via 9th street to the alley behind Big-O tires.
• The Bean Festival will provide tenting, along with one 8 foot table and two chairs for each Chili Bean Cook Off participant. Contestants must bring their own supplies: stove, fuel, pots, pans, cooking utensils, paper towels, trash bags, 15-25 ft. power extension cords, etc. Electrical hook-ups will be provided at the cook-off tent arena. 
• Each Chili Bean Cook Off participant must provide a functioning fire extinguisher rated at least 2A 10BC that operates within the San Joaquin County’s Health, Fire and Public Safety Guidelines.
• Although participants may add their own dry or canned beans, Chili Bean Cook Off must contain bean provided by the Bean Festival.
• Beans will be available to pick up prior to the cook-off from the Chamber office on Thursday, September 9^th for sorting, pre-soaking and degassing. Degassing the furnished dry beans is allowed and must be done the day/night before the cook off. Preparing Beans for Competition – Beans must be sorted (checked for rocks and rinsed and degassed. 
• Degassing Beans - Add beans to boiling water for two minutes; take off fire and rest one hour; pour off water and drain. No other ingredients can be added during soaking/degassing.
• No ingredients may be precooked prior to the event except for bean degassing. Contestants will be asked to show their beans to the chairperson when they check in.
• All ingredients such as meat, vegetables, spices, canned items, etc. are provided by the cook and must be prepared/added in view of the spectators and judges during the competition times.
• A water source will be supplied by The Bean Festival. The Bean Festival will also provide hand washing stations that comply with San Joaquin County Health Department rules and regulations.
• Entrants are allowed to bring ice chests for use in keeping perishable ingredients and personal beverages cold.
• All Chili Bean Cook Off participants must prepare enough of their dish (minimum 3 lbs. of beans) to allow for adequate sampling by the judges. In addition, the leftovers may be served to public spectators on site, after judging.
• Chili Bean Dishes must be done and ready for judging by 1:00 p.m. Judging will take place at 1:30 p.m.
• Chili Bean Cook Off winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. All judges’ decisions are final.
• Prizes will be awarded at 2:00 pm in the Bean Pavillion.