HBAA Annual Chili and Pie Cook-off

HBAA 2024 9th Annual Chili Cookoff and Pie Contest Rules

Entry Deadline: January 25, 2024

Event Date: January 27, 2024 (5-9 pm)

Location: St. Jerome's Catholic Church, 8825 Kempwood Dr, Houston, TX 77080

For information and registration please contact Dominique Varner at DVarner@hwa.com or (713) 703-7219.

Chili Contest Rules: 

1. Only 5 members to a team included in the $500 entrance fee. If you are sponsor of $1,000 or more, you may have an additional 5 free entries per each $500 over the team entry fee. Additional team members pay the $30 entrance fee; prizes limited to the 5-person team.   
2. Children 12 and under are free. 
3. Doors open at 3:00 pm. The event begins at 5:00. Judging will begin around 5:30 and should be concluded by 7:30.  Booth decorating judging takes place at 5:15. Winners announced no later than 8:00.
4. Table cloths, plastic tasting utensils, tasting cups and napkins must be brought by the entering teams. Each team is also responsible for its own pots, propane, preparation utensils and table decorations. Feel free to promote your firm/company in any way you desire at your table. Electrical connections can be provided—please e-mail Nichole Nech at nicholenech@nechlawfirm.com if will need an electrical connection unless you have already indicated you need one. Tables and chairs are provided by St. Jerome's Catholic Church.
5. Each team must make at least 4 gallons of chili. Additional appetizers, i.e., chips, cheese, etc. may be provided by the teams to enhance/add to their presentation. There are no restrictions on what chili recipe may contain. (Beans are allowed!) However, teams should be prepared to disclose the chili’s ingredients if requested, in order to avoid any health/allergy concerns.
6. Each team will be given a bag with containers/spoons for each judge in which their chili will be collected.  “Runners” will be sent to collect the containers for delivery to the judges within the first hour of the event. Please do not pour the chili for the judges until the runner notifies you that it is time.  Each team will be anonymously assigned a number at the time the judges sample is collected, and judges will judge and rank the chili only by team number. Judges will not know which team is assigned to a particular number until the winners are announced.
7. Names of people on your team and the “name” of your team should be provided in advance to the extent known. Please e-mail Nichole Nech at nicholenech@nechlawfirm.com and advise Nichole who the “team captain” is.
8. Each “team captain” (or designated representative) will be given an envelope at the front entrance which contains a wrist band for each team member, a timeline and a copy of the rules. All persons at the event must be wearing their wristbands. 
9. Chili will be judged according to the following:  Taste—40%  - Consistency—30% - Presentation—30% (color; does it look appealing; aroma; appear well prepared; condiments optional).
10. There will also be a “Chili Champ ” award. Each paying entrant (including chili team members and pie entrants) will receive one (1) free ticket to vote on their favorite team and this winner may be different than those winners chosen by the official judges. Containers for this voting will be on each table. Additional “Chili Champ” tickets will be available for purchase for $1 each. Additionally, a prize will be given for most creatively decorated table. Table must be attended at all times. 
11. Clean up is strictly the responsibility of the team. No items may remain after the close of the cook-off. 
    

Pie Contest Rules

1.  Pie entrance fee is $50 per person. Please e-mail Nichole Nech at nicholenech@nechlawfirm.com with the type of pie you are entering. Sweet or savory pies may be entered.
   
2. At least two of the same pie (for each entrant) must be provided. One will be used for judging and both will be served. Clearly label all pie plates that you would like to have back at the end of the event. 
   
3. Plates, napkins, and plastic forks, as well as serving utensils for the pie table only will be provided by the Pie Sponsor.
   
4. No more than one type of pie per entrant (the two pies should be the same.) Pies should be delivered to the Pie Table no later than 5:30 pm. Pies should be pre-registered if possible, so that labels may be created in advance. However, late entries will be accepted.
   
5. Pies will be judged anonymously according to the following:   Taste—50% -  Presentation—50%
6. Each pie will be assigned a number upon entry. Delivery of the pie samples to the judges will be as per the rules above.

A DJ will be present to provide entertainment. A separate children’s area will be set up. Children of all ages welcome.

Entry fees and pre-paid admission fees should be payable to: 

HBAA Charitable Fund, Inc.

Attention: Liza A. Greene

P.O. Box 2156, Missouri City, Texas 77459

Last day for submission of pre-admission fees, on line or by mail, is January 27, 2023.  Admission at the door is $35 per person.