A "Chopped Style" Cook Off

This event is open to the general public! We will have games, live music, access to the trail for FREE and also the option to purchase a judge package to gain access to chili, cider and other fall food festivities! 

(Click here to buy a ticket for general admission, chili cook off judge, or chili cook off participant!) 

Basic Rules

Contestants can apply online and will be selected and notified of acceptance by September 20.

1. Four teams of two will compete.
2. If a contestant breaks a rule, both members of the team will be penalized.
3. A team cannot compete without both team members present.
4. Contestants will compete in three, timed rounds: an appetizer round (20 minutes), an entree round (30 minutes) and a dessert round (30 minutes).
5. During each round, each team must provide the panel of judges with 4 plated servings of an original dish cooked within the specified time period.
6. For each round, contestants are permitted to use any ingredients in the pantry, but MUST use ALL of the secret basket ingredients.
7. After each round, one team will be eliminated.
8. The last team remaining will become the Chopped Champions and win a full season CSA membership for 2024 (a $575 value)!

Supplies/Equipment 

Each team must bring their own supplies and will be permitted to use the following (1 per team):

1. Gas camp stove
2. Gas grill
3. Blender or food processor
4. Hand mixer
5. Toaster oven
6. Air fryer

Each team must bring their own supplies and will be permitted to use the following (2 per team):

1. Spatulas
2. Mixing spoons
3. Sets of measuring cups
4. Sets of measuring spoons
5. Whisks
6. Pots
7. Pans
8. Cutting boards

Each contestant will be permitted to bring up to seven knives of their own (up to 14 per team).

*Dishes and cutlery for serving will be provided.

Pantry

Each contestant will have access to a “pantry” filled with basic food items in the following categories.

Basket Ingredients

• For each round, each team will be provided with a basket containing 4 mystery ingredients.
• Each team must incorporate ALL basket ingredients into the dish.
• The entire quantity of the basket ingredient does not need to be used.
• Each team will be provided with a brief summary on the background of each ingredient.
• Teams that do not include 1 or more  basket ingredients will not be disqualified, but will have their score docked (see “judging”).

Cooking

• Each team may begin with a pot of water boiling and a toaster oven preheated to 350 degrees. But it is their responsibility to ensure those items are prepard and ready on time! 
• For each round, the timer will be stopped and started by a judge.
• The timer will only be paused in the event of a medical event. The timer will be restarted when the wound is dressed and gloved.
• Teams in which a contestant does not have their hands off of all cooking/plating equipment when the time is up will be disqualified.

Judging

• There will be 3 judges.
• Each dish will be judged based on Creativity (1-5 points), Taste (1-5 points) and Presentation (1-5 points).
• Each team will have the opportunity to present/describe their dish before the judges taste it.
• The judge’s scores are final.
• The team with the highest score will proceed to the next round.

Winning

The team that wins the dessert round wins Chopped and is awarded the prize.

Schedule

• Contestants will attend one pre-event meeting (time and location TBD).
• Contestants will be provided with a tour of the space and pantry prior to the day of the event.
• Contestants will arrive at the Grant Pavillion at 2:00 PM. 
• Cooking will begin at 4:00 PM. 

Other

• Contestants may wear whatever they’d like; however, they must wear the apron provided, wear a hat or hair net and avoid loose sleeves/jewelry.
• Someone with First Aid training will be available in the event of cuts/burns.
• Contestants must agree to having their photo/video taken and posted on social media.