Red Chili is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with red chili peppers, various

spices and other ingredients. Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed.

Preference is not given to either cut meat, ground meat, shredded meat or cubed meat

Homestyle Chili is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Homestyle chili may be any color. Preference is not given to either cut, ground, shredded or cubed meat.

Chili Verde is any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with green chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed. Preference is not given to either cut meat, ground meat, shredded meat or cubed meat.

Vegetarian chili is any kind of vegetables or combination of vegetables, meatless"meat", cooked with chili peppers, various spices and other ingredients. The use of meat and/or any meat by-product is not allowed. It can be any color and consistency should be like chili, not soup like. Beans are allowed.

You don't know what salsa is? Come on!  Salsa must be homemade by the contestant whose name appears on this sign up form. It may be brought to the site that day if it meets health‐code requirements or it may be prepared at the Cookoff. Judges will consider aroma, appearance, texture, blend, and overall taste.

This category is open to any licensed restaurant who thinks they've got what it takes to take home the traveling trophy. This one is for ALL the bragging rights... for a year.

Chili for Charity - This category is open to Non-Profits so you can share your message and win dollars to support your mission.

Spice up your wardrobe without burning your taste buds. This limited-edition tee is hotter than the “mild” category at the Showdown (which is still weirdly spicy). Perfect for stirring pots, flexing your chili-cooking biceps, or casually reminding strangers that you survived Manhattan’s fiercest bean battle.

Wear it proudly. Wear it often. And if you spill chili on it... congratulations, you just made it limited-limited edition. 

Spice up your wardrobe without burning your taste buds. This limited-edition tee is hotter than the “mild” category at the Showdown (which is still weirdly spicy). Perfect for stirring pots, flexing your chili-cooking biceps, or casually reminding strangers that you survived Manhattan’s fiercest bean battle.

Wear it proudly. Wear it often. And if you spill chili on it... congratulations, you just made it limited-limited edition. 

Spice up your wardrobe without burning your taste buds. This limited-edition tee is hotter than the “mild” category at the Showdown (which is still weirdly spicy). Perfect for stirring pots, flexing your chili-cooking biceps, or casually reminding strangers that you survived Manhattan’s fiercest bean battle.

Wear it proudly. Wear it often. And if you spill chili on it... congratulations, you just made it limited-limited edition. 

Spice up your wardrobe without burning your taste buds. This limited-edition tee is hotter than the “mild” category at the Showdown (which is still weirdly spicy). Perfect for stirring pots, flexing your chili-cooking biceps, or casually reminding strangers that you survived Manhattan’s fiercest bean battle.

Wear it proudly. Wear it often. And if you spill chili on it... congratulations, you just made it limited-limited edition.