How To Plan The Ultimate Chili Cook-Off Party

Throw a “soup-er” party your friends and family won’t forget with tips for how to plan the ultimate chili cook-off. 

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A “Soup-er” Supper Club Party

I do not know about you, but I can not believe how fast February zipped by! And the end of the month can only mean one thing. It is time to join my friends Anne, AnnMarie, Michele, Rachel, and Stacy for the latest supper club.

This monthly blog series started more than two years ago during the height of the pandemic. Since we could not gather in person, virtual parties were the next best thing. And so our little supper club was born.

Each month we share decorating ideas and recipes with you centered around a different theme, and I am “soup-er” excited about this month’s party!

Bad puns aside, if you love chili, then you have come to the right place because this month for supper club we are hosting a chili cook-off.

Each month, we invite a guest blogger to join us, and I am thrilled to welcome back Regina at Saved From Salvage for her second guest-hosting stint. 

I hope you will take a few minutes to swing by her blog, say hi, and see her fun and festive take on this month’s chili cook-off theme. 

Welcome To Midwest Life And Style

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But that’s enough about me. Let’s dive into all the details to help you plan the ultimate chili cook-off party!

How To Plan The Ultimate Chili Cook-Off Party

Before we get into the hosting how-to’s, first let’s talk about what a chili cook-off is all about.

Think of it as a high-stakes potluck supper of sorts. Not only do you get to show off your cooking skills, but you also get to engage in a little friendly competition to see whose culinary creation (aka chili) is the best.

Chili cook-offs are popular in the fall and winter (think cozy comfort food season). And since we still have several weeks of winter left here in the Midwest, it feels like the perfect time to share my tips to help you plan the ultimate chili cook-off party at home.

Invite Your Friends

The first thing you need to do is set a date and invite your friends. The more the merrier!

You can create a personalized invitation to match the theme of your party, or simply send the invite by email or text.

Encourage your friends to bring their chili in a slow cooker to keep it warm throughout the party, and be prepared with extra extension cords and power strips to plug them all in.

Choose A Theme For Your Party

After the date is set and the invites have gone out, it is time to think about decor and setting the table.

Much like a backyard low country boil or football tailgate party, a chili cook-off is all about good food and good company. So a casual table is perfect for the occasion.

Before you go crazy with decor, it is important to know that hosting a get-together for a crowd can get pricey quickly if you are not careful.

So my number one money-saving tip to host the ultimate party is this….do not buy anything for your chili cook-off before you come up with a plan.

Decide on a color and a theme for your party. Then look around your home to see what supplies you have before making a list of items to purchase.

The dollar store is a great place to score cheap party supplies. And thrift stores are one of my favorite places to find items like dishware, glasses, and vintage decor pieces that are perfect to use as a centerpiece or to give away as party favors.

How To Set The Table For A Chili Cook-Off Party

To style my chili cook-off tablescape, I chose a neutral color palette and created this look almost entirely with items I already had at home.

Simple linens like a white tablecloth layered with a burlap table runner are inexpensive and help to create a casual yet pulled-together look.

Next, set out chargers, like these rustic wicker ones, at each place setting. Then layer some basic white dinner plates and woven napkins on top.

Here is a fun chili cook-off tip I picked up a few years ago from a soup competition at work. In place of bowls, use disposable muffin tins.

The disposable tins eliminate the need to wash extra dishes and make cleanup after your party a cinch! And each cup is the perfect portion size for taste-testing all the yummy chili recipes.

And last, but not least, do not forget to set out plenty of spoons for your guests and some extra napkins too!

Create A Simple Centerpiece With Grocery Store Flowers

A beautiful centerpiece makes any party feel more special, but you do not have to spend a fortune to create a fun and festive display.

Grab a fresh bouquet from the grocery store to make a bright and colorful arrangement. Just trim the stems of the flowers as needed, and place them in a vase. You could also use an old canning jar, or a favorite vintage piece like a crock, bucket, or an old soup tureen.

(*Side note. If you love vintage decor like me, you can see how I used a thrifted tureen to create a DIY centerpiece with paperwhites for a book club brunch party HERE.)

A small chalkboard placed in the center of the table finishes the centerpiece. The chalkboard doubles not only as decor but; also provides an easy way to display the names of each chili recipe on the cook-off menu for your guests.

Build The Buffett

Clear off some counter space or use a large card table to build your chili cook-off buffet. Once you have the area for your chili bar set up, these are some supplies you will need.

• Soup ladles
• Small bowls and serving utensils for garnishes and condiments
• Napkins

Do not forget to make labels for each chili recipe. And be sure to keep it a secret which chili belongs to which friend or family member until the voting is done.

What To Serve With Your Chili

Next, let’s talk about what to serve with your chili. In our house, a steaming bowl of chili paired with sides is a match made in heaven. You can not have one without the other.

By adding a few side dishes you can easily turn your chili taste-testing party into a complete meal.

Classics like cornbread pair well with almost any chili recipe, including my slow cooker shredded beef chili.

If you need more side dish ideas, these are a few of my other favorites

• Corn Chips
• Cinnamon Rolls (my favorite and a Midwest tradition)
• Thin and Crispy Tortilla Chips

And do not forget the garnishes! You can not plan to host the ultimate chili cook-off party without stocking up on all the toppings! These are a few suggestions.

• Shredded Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Jalapenos
• Guacamole
• Pico de Gallo
• Cilantro
• Lime Juice
• Oyster Crackers

Pick A Winner

After each partygoer has sampled all of the chili recipes, have them use a scorecard to rate their favorites.

Using a pre-printed card makes it easy, or guests can just write down the number of their favorite chili on a blanket sheet of paper and toss it in a bucket to be tallied at the end of the party.

The winner gets bragging rights, but if you want to give the grand champ a little extra something you can gift them something small.

Aprons, wood spoons, cutting boards, and even trophies are perfect ways to crown your ultimate chili cook-off winner.

If you’d like to recreate the look, I’ve linked what I can below for easy shopping. Or, if you have questions about any of the items I used to style my table, leave me a message in the comments.

More Chili Cook-Off Party Ideas

Thanks for stopping by! I hope this post has given you some tips and ideas for how to plan the ultimate fun (and tasty) chili cook-off party.

Next, visit my friends Anne and AnnMarie at Simply 2 Moms to see their ideas for hosting a chili cook-off party with friends. As always, be sure to check out all of this month’s party inspiration, linked below.

And don’t forget to check out the best chili recipes to serve at your cook-off here.

Xo,

Inspiration For A Chili Cook-Off Party

Simply 2 Moms / The Ponds Farmhouse / Bricks ‘n Blooms

Vintage Home Designs / Saved From Salvage / Midwest Life and Style

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