Jenkintown Chili Cook-Off 2026

Part of the annual "Fall Jawn" in Town Square. Compete for cash prizes and to be crowned the Chili King or Queen of Jenkintown!
About this Event

Contest Rules

The event will be held in Jenkintown Town Square on Sunday, November 8, 2026, RAIN OR SHINE.*

*In the event of rain, the contest will be held at Independent Fire Co. at 609 Greenwood Ave.

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Chili Cook-Off Rules

• Contestants must submit their entries via this website NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. SATURDAY, November 7, 2026. There is no fee to enter as a chili cook. After cook entries are received, the cook-off will be closed to further entrants.
• Contestants should be at Town Square in Jenkintown no later than 3:30 P.M. Sunday, November 8, 2026, to check-in and set up.
• Chili must be prepared, in advance, from raw ingredients compiled by the contestants. In other words, no mixes, no Hormel, no purchased chili.
• Chili may be made with or without meat or beans. All chilis will compete for a single judges' prize and a single popular choice prize.
• Contestants should bring a minimum of 3 GALLONS of chili, keeping in mind that the more you bring, the more people will be able to taste it and the more potential votes you will receive. Contestants may make available optional toppings like shredded cheest, sour cream, hot sauce, etc.
• All contestants must provide their own heating apparatus – crockpot, camping stove or canned fuel (i.e. Sterno), and extension cords if needed. Power will be supplied onsite. About 1/2 of the surface area of a large outdoor table will be provided for each contestant.
• The Rec Board will provide cups and spoons for guests to eat samples.
• Judging will be by both popular vote and by a panel of judges. Each eligible taster (carrying a Rec Board supplied bowl and spoon) will be given three tokens*, which may be used to cast votes by depositing them in the ballot box of the chili table for which they would like to vote. Multiple votes may be cast for the same chili table. In addition, a panel of judges will select one consensus winner from among all the chili tables.
• A ticket to taste all chili in the competition is $5/person. Tickets can be purchased at the Rec Board table with cash on the day of the event. Upon purchase of a ticket, an attendee will be given a Rec Board provided sampling bowl and spoon and three tokens* to be used to cast their votes for the popular choice winner by depositing one or more tokens in a bowl placed at each contestant's table.
• The Judges' Choice Winner will receive a certificate and a $100 prize.
• The Popular Vote winner will receive a certificate, a $100 prize, and having been judged the superior chili from among all chili tables by popular vote, shall be crowned the Chili King or Queen of Jenkintown.