This year’s event takes place Oct. 24 at New Baden Park
Everyone’s favorite day in New Baden is nearly here! The New Baden Chamber of Commerce is deep into the planning stages of their 22nd Annual Chili and Soup Cook-off.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24, at New Baden Village Park.
Competitors who enter prior to Oct. 15 will receive $50 at the awards ceremony just for entering the friendly competition.
The foundation for the event was established by the Chamber of Commerce during New Baden’s Sesquicentennial celebration in 2005. In recent years the event has increased in size and offerings.
This year the Chamber will pay out up to $10,000 in prize money, not including the $100 bonus for the best decorated booth or the Cupcake War payouts.
Entries will be accepted up until the week of the event, and entry forms can be obtained from the Facebook event page, by contacting Teri Crane at New Baden Village Hall, or picked up at New Baden Village Hall during normal business hours.
The event starts for the competitors on Friday night (Oct. 23) when the teams assemble at the park and run Le Mans style to pick their favorite cooking site. Some chefs begin preparations on the spot and continue all night. Others will go home for a good night’s rest before returning to begin at the crack of dawn to allow for long simmering times to blend flavors.
Those planning to attend the cook-off can follow via the New Baden Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. Entry and general questions about the cook-off can be answered by calling 618-334-3136.
Last year, the weather accompanied everyone to fit the occasion, but this event will go on rain or shine!
"We had a wonderful turnout and a fantastic time filling our bellies with famous recipes of soup and chili. Everyone packed the house to come try all the famous tastes," said Ryan Stukenberg with New Baden Chamber of Commerce.
In order to continue this competition, organizers encourage anyone who is interested in participating as a chili, soup, or cupcake team to let them know.
"Our contestant list is growing by the day," said Stukenberg. "With that said, we have plenty more room to grow for this year’s competition!"
If you or someone you know can bring their secret chili, soup or cupcake recipe to the competition, please have them reach out.
This year, there is no entry fee! Organizers want to encourage anyone with the skills to bring forward their best recipes to compete.
Don’t forget about the early entry $50 bonus paid to you by getting signed up and competing on the day. That would be a great help and great start to compiling all the ingredients needed to compete in this amazing and fun hometown competition.
Reach out to the Chamber on the New Baden Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or contact Teri Crane to find out more details and get signed up. If you’ve got what it takes to prove you have the best chili, soup or cupcakes, we do not want you to miss this opportunity to put your name on the map.
While teams are all still competing for their share of the prize money, the level of competition may be high, but the camaraderie of the teams will make this event a great one.
The Chamber stated once again this year that event participants are the absolute key to the event’s success. Over the years, the list of regulars has made quite the core for helping shape the event, with not only good eats but great entertainment. Some participants even do both soup and chili entries, but most find it suitable enough to make one large pot of their secret soup or chili. Armed with the knowledge that if they run out early, they could miss out on some key votes, pot/kettle sizes have ranged from roasters to 55-gallon kettles.
Past year’s vote tallies show that every vote most definitely counts. With over 1,500 combined votes for each chili and soup, and over 700 for the cupcake wars, there are plenty of opportunities for participants to become a crowd favorite. The key to their success is making enough to keep them in the hunt, as consumption of these delicious recipes begins at p.m. and goes to 7 p.m. The gates will open at 2 p.m. to accommodate the long wait times they have experienced in the past.
The Chamber of Commerce wants all who attend to have plenty of time to go into the event and receive all you can eat chili and soup.
The ever-growing category of the event, Cupcake Wars, are ready to have another outstanding performance as well.
The contestants are asked to make at least 750 mini cupcakes off site but are required to finish/decorate them on site. The cupcake competitors have stated this seems easy when you sign up, but the teamwork really comes in play to make all these cakes look show worthy.
Participants compete for up to $2,000 in prize money. Previous feedback from event partakers is that the cupcakes are a great way to cleanse your palate while trying all the chili and soups. Some eat a few chilies and soups, then go have a cupcake, followed by another round of chili and soups. Others, with the strong sweet tooth like to try all the cupcakes back-to-back. Let’s face it — there is no wrong way to go at these tasty treats!
The event is family friendly with activities for all ages. The bouncy house and the corn-pit are lined up to help entertain the kids. This year we will continue with the return of the Big Six Wheel. The Chamber of Commerce is working diligently to make this event enjoyable for any and all ages.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars in the kitchen, on your phones or on your computers. You can also follow the New Baden Chamber of Commerce Facebook page to stay up to date on the 22nd Annual Chili/Soup Cook-off and 12th Annual Cupcake Wars.
Be sure to like, follow, and share their weekly post at your chance to win a free wristband to the chili and soup cook-off.
Organizers have already selected seven lucky winners, with seven more to be chosen up until the day of the event.
The New Baden Chamber of Commerce can’t wait to see you and all your family/friends on Oct. 24!
