• Public can sample each chili and vote for the winner

Rotary of Star Valley is hosting their traditional Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, June 22, with set-up beginning at 4 p.m. and public tasting for judging purposes running from 4:30-5:30 at the gazebo of the Alpine Civic Center during the Alpine Mountain Days. Winners are announced around 5:40.

“The Rotary Club of Star Valley loves holding this event every year,” said Amy Moon, current President of the club, in an email with SVI last week. “It is a fun and goofy community event that allows a variety of Star Valley residents a chance to participate. This event is also a fun way to spread the word about our Rotary Club and get our name into the community.”

Proceeds from this event go to support local Rotary projects such as student scholarships and financial assistance to the Star Valley Health Foundation’s Breast Care Fund.

As a part of Alpine Mountain Days, the cook-off offers chefs a shot at the $100 grand prize. Moon explained that each chef will have half a buffet table to create their magic and present it to the public.

“The chili chefs set up their serving area and some go all out in decorating to promote their own entry,” said Moon. “We support bribery and “stacking the vote” in your favor, which has happened in the past. One entry got all their friends to come and vote for their chili and they did in fact win 1st place! I remember that chili did taste really good…so maybe the attempt at stacking the vote wasn’t as effective as they thought. I have also seen some people “jump ship” and vote for an amazing chili over the friend they were supposed to vote for. So really, if you have a quality chili, you can easily move votes in your favor. There is nothing very serious about this chili cook-off. In fact, we have had serious chili cooks decide not to participate because of this, and we wholeheartedly support that too.”

As judges, the public is invited to attend the event by offering a $5 entry fee, which buys them a sampling of each chili, a water bottle, and a voting ticket.

“The official title of the event is Carla Stone’s Chili Cook-off, hosted by the Rotary Club of Star Valley,” said Moon. “Carla Stone was a pivotal figure for the town of Alpine and she started this cook-off as part of Alpine Mountain Days many years ago. The Rotary Club took over running the event in 2019. We have loved doing so ever since.”

Official sponsors of this year’s Chili Cook-Off include First Bank of Wyoming, Four Pines Physical Therapy, Travis Ladner of Ameriprise Financial, Kelly Shackelford of Sotheby’s International Realty and Black Mountain Rental.

The entry fee is $25 for each chili. Serving cups, tables and electricity will be provided. Competitors should bring about 3 gallons of their chili in a crock pot or warming pot.

“Chili chefs are very welcome to put up a display or description of your chili and decorate around your serving area,” said Moon. “If you are representing a business, you can put up signs promoting your business.  You, or someone you assign, will serve your chili to the tasting public (aka judges).”

To enter your chili in the cook off event, contact the Rotary Club of Star Valley at StarValleyRotary@gmail.com.