Chili (Meat) Contest
PRIZES
Blue (1st place), red (2nd place), and white (3rd place) ribbons will be awarded in the following category:
Best Meat Chili
RULES
Individuals must be present in person at the DC State Fair to participate.
Beans can be canned, but no other canned ingredients may be used.
Individuals may not submit more than one entry.
Entry must be brought in a slow cooker or other appliance to keep it warm throughout judging. Fair organizers will do their best to provide power so any appliances stay plugged in during judging.
Entry cannot contain any of the following: uncooked meat, uncooked dairy products, raw eggs, or other products that are high risk for spoilage or might cause sickness.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Taste (40%)
Chili is hearty and rich. Chili has an enjoyable level of spice.
Appearance (30%)
Chili is an appetizing color, with key ingredients easily distinguished.
Texture (30%)
Meat in the chili is tender and not disintegrating. Chili has a pleasant level of chunkiness and is not too watery or too dry.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Register for the meat chili contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2025-contests by 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15. No walk-up registrations will be accepted.
Bring your entry in an appliance that can keep it warm to Bryant Street NE at 680 Rhode Island Ave NE on Saturday, September 6. An exact location and time window for dropoff will be specified closer to the date. Alongside your entry, bring the following:
A removable label that includes your name, the contest category, and the name of the entry.
A list of ingredients used in making your entry.
PRIZES
Blue (1st place), red (2nd place), and white (3rd place) ribbons will be awarded in the following category:
Best Meat Chili
RULES
Individuals must be present in person at the DC State Fair to participate.
Beans can be canned, but no other canned ingredients may be used.
Individuals may not submit more than one entry.
Entry must be brought in a slow cooker or other appliance to keep it warm throughout judging. Fair organizers will do their best to provide power so any appliances stay plugged in during judging.
Entry cannot contain any of the following: uncooked meat, uncooked dairy products, raw eggs, or other products that are high risk for spoilage or might cause sickness.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Taste (40%)
Chili is hearty and rich. Chili has an enjoyable level of spice.
Appearance (30%)
Chili is an appetizing color, with key ingredients easily distinguished.
Texture (30%)
Meat in the chili is tender and not disintegrating. Chili has a pleasant level of chunkiness and is not too watery or too dry.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Register for the meat chili contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2025-contests by 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15. No walk-up registrations will be accepted.
Bring your entry in an appliance that can keep it warm to Bryant Street NE at 680 Rhode Island Ave NE on Saturday, September 6. An exact location and time window for dropoff will be specified closer to the date. Alongside your entry, bring the following:
A removable label that includes your name, the contest category, and the name of the entry.
A list of ingredients used in making your entry.
PRIZES
Blue (1st place), red (2nd place), and white (3rd place) ribbons will be awarded in the following category:
Best Meat Chili
RULES
Individuals must be present in person at the DC State Fair to participate.
Beans can be canned, but no other canned ingredients may be used.
Individuals may not submit more than one entry.
Entry must be brought in a slow cooker or other appliance to keep it warm throughout judging. Fair organizers will do their best to provide power so any appliances stay plugged in during judging.
Entry cannot contain any of the following: uncooked meat, uncooked dairy products, raw eggs, or other products that are high risk for spoilage or might cause sickness.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Taste (40%)
Chili is hearty and rich. Chili has an enjoyable level of spice.
Appearance (30%)
Chili is an appetizing color, with key ingredients easily distinguished.
Texture (30%)
Meat in the chili is tender and not disintegrating. Chili has a pleasant level of chunkiness and is not too watery or too dry.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Register for the meat chili contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2025-contests by 9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15. No walk-up registrations will be accepted.
Bring your entry in an appliance that can keep it warm to Bryant Street NE at 680 Rhode Island Ave NE on Saturday, September 6. An exact location and time window for dropoff will be specified closer to the date. Alongside your entry, bring the following:
A removable label that includes your name, the contest category, and the name of the entry.
A list of ingredients used in making your entry.