1.		Chili\`chil-ee\n, A blend of meat, tomato sauce, spices, and peppers. Although most Texans would argue that beans belong in a bag, we are not in Texas so the choice is yours. Rice, Pasta, Lamb legs, etc. are welcome additions: however, provide samples of your chili to the judges.
	2.		DHEC has taken an interest in our event and we are obligated to tell you that you must follow DHEC requirements. Washing your hands prior to handling food is required. It is also important to DHEC that no food preparation is done prior to the event. We know that great chili takes time, but precooking meats or prepping veggies prior to the event is not allowed by DHEC. Group Therapy will provide a prep zone, where veggies and meats can be cut. Food may only be prepared in the PREP TENT (with fans). Please bring containers to carry your food in. Other requirements from DHEC: You MUST keep your cooking area and your serving area separated by a minimum of two (2) feet! Cover for your cooking pot, you need to be able to cover your food. All food and single service items need to be stored off of the ground. Small trash can. Clean up tools. Thermometer that reads from 0-220 degrees Fahrenheit (there will be no exceptions). Hand washing station. You need to have a hand washing station set-up (See Diagram). NO WATER BOTTLES. A tent/awning (tent must meet fire code). DHEC will not accept umbrellas or covers from restaurants that are used for outside guest at their facilities. **DHEC has stated that for the past couple of years they have allowed some exceptions, but this year there will be no exceptions. If a vendor cannot produce the items they will not be permitted to cook.**
	3.		The local Fire Marshal has also taken great interest in this event. Due to the cooking apparatuses and a flame source, it is important that everyone safely operates their equipment. The following is a list of requirements that the fire marshal will enforce: All compressed gas cylinders; hoses, regulators and any other devices shall meet N.F.P.A. requirements. All compressed gas cylinders shall be firmly secured to prevent the cylinder from falling or being knocked over. All cooking areas shall be segregated by a least a 4 ft. barrier to prevent traffic flow and accidental injuries. No cooking is allowed in or under a tent unless it meets the flam requirements of N.F.P.A 701 and is labeled with a N.F.P.A. marking. I.F.C. 2411. E-Z up tents and tents stamped by California Fire Marshal do not meet this code. Any vendor or concessions that utilizes any cooking or heating devices shall have a minimum of one 2A/40BC type fire extinguisher. It must be visible, accessible, and mounted with a current inspection tag-I.F.C. 2407. All tents must be properly secured and or anchored on all four corners with stakes or 50 lbs weights. All open burning is prohibited without prior approval from the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The use of Fireworks is prohibited for public display at this event REMEMBER DHEC AND THE FIRE MARSHAL RULES ARE FOR SAFTY REASONS. PLEASE ABIDE BY THEM OR YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COOK.
	4.		Tent size is always a question and here is the answer. Please keep your tent with in a 10 x 10 or 100 square feet of space. Anything over this size will not be permitted. Also remember, you must be able to secure your tent by stakes or weights (50 lbs).
	5.		You must provide your own heat source, Electricity will not be provided leaving heat only in the form of Butane, propane. Heat sources, if you do not already have one, they are readily available at all rental and camping stores.
	6.		We shouldn't even have to write this, but you'd be surprised-NO COMMERCIAL MIXES, no: Kroger, Bi-Lo, 3-Alarm, etc… pre-made chili mixes. Also, attempt to keep chewing tobacco spit, hair care products and hallucinogenic mushrooms out of your chili. Special exceptions will be made for those who bring family recipe or a note from your mother.
	7.		Please limit your team to three people. (Make your other friends cheerleaders or water boys/girls). We are not going to limit entries, but would ask that each booth take up no more than a 10 x 10 area.
	8.		We encourage theme chilis and decorations on the booths. This is an award for over-all best set up, which means your hard work could win you a trophy.
	9.		The Chili Cook off is a charity event including the children of the CAMP KEMO and The Hope Center of Charleston and without you, this event would not work. We ask that you design a sign for your donation jar with a price of no less than a $1.00 and provide a fair serving of about 7-9 ounces of your chili. This year in recognition of the hard work the cooks actually do, Group Therapy will provide each team of chefs with "CHEFS" Bracelets, which will allow you to purchase draft beer for $1.00 at the CHEFS CORNER. Chefs corner will be a new designated area for the 2004 cooks. You and only you can purchase beer from this area. With that being said, I wish to remind everyone that this is a family function (kind of) so please refrain from getting naked, shouting dumb jokes or any other behavior that might seem to go hand in hand with plenty of draft $1.00 beers, a lot of fire, and even more gas.
	10.		Judging will forever be a problem: Remember, this is a charity event and we will attempt to provide judges with an exceptional ability to contain large amounts of chili. . Thank YOU and have a blast (no pun intended). TROUBLE SHOOTING (PLEASE READ!) NO pre-cooking (of the chili) is allowed, all cutting and cooking should be done at the event. Securing the tents has always been a problem. Cinder blocks-TWO TIED TO each corner (cinder block is 40 lbs) 5 gallon bucket with concrete and an eye hook in the middle-tie tent to eye hook 50 lbs of sand in a bag-tie tent to bag 5 gallon bucket with sand in it-tie tent to bucket Parking-do not park in a tow zone. We will work on a parking area, but we do not own any. If we can rent one, we will let the chefs know the morning of the event. Fire extinguishers-You must have one, or you will not be able to cook Thermometer 0-220 degrees Fahrenheit-you must have one or you will not be able to cook Lid for you pot-you must have one or you will not be able to cook You must have a tent or tent like device-We have been advised that the Fire Marshall will not allow UMBRELLES this year. If you need a table for serving, please bring one Don't forget to bring your spoons and bowls NEVER FORGET THAT THIS IS A CHARITY EVENT AND IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK OTHER COMPANIES FOR HELP. IF YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY MEETING ALL THE REQUIRMENTS, DON'T GIVE UP. ASK A CAMPING STORE FOR USE OF A DISPLAY TENT FOR CHARITY. ASK THE MANAGER OF A RESTURANT TO DONTATE FOOD SUPPLIES. ASK A HARDWARE STORE TO DONATE WEIGHTS TO SECURE YOUR TENT. IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK. COMPANIES CAN ALWAYS BE PERSUADED BY SIMPLY PUTTING UP THEIR SIGN UP AT YOUR TENT FOR ADVERTISEMENT.

CHILI COOKOFF SCHEDULE & QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE