ENTRY OPTIONS
There are two levels of participation in the South Carolina Chili Cook-off Championship:

• As an "official" ICS entrant, sanctioned by the International Chili Society and governed by their rules and regulations (number one rule: no beans and no pasta), which requires membership ICS membership and preparing your entry on site the day of the cook-off. All ICS entrants will receive 2 passes to the Cooks' Party plus a special discount rate at the Holiday Inn Anderson.
• As a "People's Choice" entrant, the winner of which is determined by festival visitors tasting and voting on your entry, which does not have to be prepared on site the day of the cook-off.

ICS winners will progress to the next level of competition for the Internationational Chili Cook-off; People's Choice winners will become local heroes with the right to say, "People think I make the best chili in South Carolina!"

You may register as an ICS entrant, a People's Choice entrant, or both--as long as you register and pay the appropriate entry fee/s.

COOK-OFF CATEGORIES
This year's competition includes three categories: red chili, chili verde, and salsa. Entrants may enter any or all categories; there is a $5 discount on each entry fee if you enter more than one category. If you are entering as an ICS official competitor, only one ICS membership fee is required, no matter how many categories you enter. If you are entering only as a People's Choice competitor, you pay only the category entry fee/s, not the $50 ICS membership fee.

NOTE: We encourage ICS entrants to pre-register, either online or by mail. If you win a cook-off elsewhere, prior to the SC Chili Cook-off, we will refund your entry fee and remove you from our contender list for that category. (You may still be a contender in any category in which you have not won.) Pre-registered contestants who cancel for any reason other than winning another regional competition will forfeit $5 of the registration fee.

Also note: cooks who are flying in for the cook-off, please contact us so we can partner you with a local cook to provide assistance and equipment.

COOK-OFF PRIZES
Belton, South Carolina, home of the SC Chili Cook-off Championship, is a truly unique city. As such, the coordinators of the South Carolina Chili Cook-off Championship felt this competition deserved a trophy as unique as its host city, and commissioned the magnificent trophy you see pictured here. Featuring an actual piece of the railroad track that played such a tremendous role in the growth and development of Belton, a representation of the legendary Belton Standpipe, and a metallic blue outline of South Carolina's famous palmetto tree and crescent moon logo, this distinctive trophy will be awarded to the First Place Winner of the ICS chili category competition along with a $1250* cash prize. We hope this bold and visible declaration of excellence will be a lifetime source of pride to SC Chili Cook-off Championship winners

Other prize winners will receive distinctive plaques engraved with a depiction of the Belton Standpipe, along with cash prizes as noted.

*Includes $250 travel money to compete in World Finals.

OTHER PRIZES

Best Showmanship
A team of judges will award a prize to the chili cook-off team whose creativity, team spirit, and attitude reflects a level of showmanship that deserves to be recognized.

Best Vendor Booth
A team of judges will award a prize to the vendor booth that displays the most creativity, pride, and purpose.