SANTA CRUZ — Registration is open for the seventh annual Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-Off. The Cook-Off takes place along the Boardwalk on Saturday, October 22. Entertaining costumes and booth décor are encouraged. Cash prizes will be awarded for Best Chili, People’s Choice, Most Tasted, and Most Original teams. Two types of chili are eligible, Red (con carne) and Vegetarian. The entry fee for amateur cooking teams is $50, and $75 for professionals. Each team receives two Boardwalk All-Day Rides Wristbands, two 2016 Chili Cook-Off T-shirts, and a complimentary parking pass.
Admission to the Chili Cook-Off is free. Visitors can watch chefs prepare their chili, and for $10 taste up to six different samples as well as vote for the People’s Choice winner. Cooking begins at 10 a.m., tasting starts at 1 p.m., and winners will be announced at 4 p.m. Boardwalk rides will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of the event. The Casino Arcade and Neptune’s Kingdom will also be open.
For more information including the official entry form, and Cook-Off rules please visit www.beachboardwalk.com/chili.
A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Marine Mammal Center, a nonprofit veterinary research hospital and education center dedicated to rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals, with volunteers serving Santa Cruz County.