A chalkboard sign with the text "2016 Annual Chili Cook-Off" written on it. The sign is propped up on a brick patio.

Chili Cook-Off Party

ByLisa

I think Fall is my favorite season. I love watching the leaves change color and the shift in temperature allows me to break out my favorite hoodie and a blanket. It just feels cozy! With fall in the midst, I wanted an excuse to celebrate this season with some friends. What better way to do so than to have a chili cook-off party! I must confess, we did this last year, but it was such a good time we decided to do it again!

A chalkboard sign with the text "2016 Annual Chili Cook-Off" written on it. The sign is propped up on a brick patio.This is actually a pretty easy and fun party to host. We decided to host this party outdoors to take advantage of that cozy fall feeling and to use our fire pit 🙂 We invited our friends and family and asked them to bring their best chili in a crock-pot. On the patio, we set up two banquet style tables and I covered them with brown table cloths. Then we ran a ton of extension cords and power strips to make sure all the crock pots could be plugged in. This is why the table cloths are so handy……..they hide the cords under the tables!Outdoor patio with tables covered in brown cloth and striped table runners, set with folded napkins. A small plant and basket of items are on a side table. In the background, a grassy yard with a barbecue grill and seating area.Since our guests were all bringing a pot of chili, I provided all of the toppings like cheese, sour cream, chives, oyster crackers, etc. I also made some homemade cornbread using this great recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. She has the best recipes!A buffet table with a variety of crock pots and orange serving bowls labeled with different dishes. Decorative pumpkins and a black cauldron with plates are also arranged on the wooden table. A window and lamp are in the background.

Whenever we host a party, I always like to do a big batch drink as well as beer and wine. With fall as our theme, I opted for a mulled cider which I made in a crock-pot. I bought the cider from the grocery store and added some spices like cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice as well as some orange and apple slices. I made this without alcohol, but had a Caramel Vodka & a Cinnamon Whiskey available for those who wanted it. While it was good without the alcohol, my favorite was the Vodka but Barry liked the Whiskey.Outdoor setup for a drink station with a slow cooker, bottled drinks, an insulated beverage dispenser, and a stack of cups on a wooden cart. A small chalkboard menu lists drink options. Seating and a garden are visible in the background.

Outdoor patio with a dining table covered in a brown cloth, set with napkins and menus. A wooden cart holds drink dispensers. Patio furniture includes cushioned chairs and tables, surrounded by a wooden fence and trees.No party would be a party without dessert! And with a fire pit, the choice was obvious, a S’mores bar. I like to try new things (and I LOVE cookies) so in addition to the traditional graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, I set out chocolate covered pretzels for a salty twist, chocolate fudge stripped cookies and homemade chocolate chip cookies for an alternative to the graham cracker.A s'mores bar setup with jars labeled "Marshmallows," "Graham Crackers," and "Chocolate Chip Cookies." A sign lists s'mores options. Metal skewers are in a glass jar, all arranged on a black table against a wooden fence.

Outdoor patio with a stone fire pit and Adirondack chairs on gravel. A small table with drinks is near the wooden fence, and one chair has a decorative pillow with red and orange circles. The background features a wooden fence and part of a house.

Outdoor s'mores bar with jars of ingredients like fudge cookies, graham crackers, and marshmallows. A chalkboard sign lists options. A glass bottle with skewers is in the background against a wooden fence.

A backyard patio features four black Adirondack chairs with colorful cushions surrounding a circular stone fire pit. Two small cinder block tables stand nearby, and a gray and white shed is in the background, enclosed by a wooden fence.

A voting station with a chalkboard sign encouraging votes for "Best Overall," "Spiciest," and "Most Creative" chilis. A jar of pencils, a "Vote Here" jar, and paper ballots are on a table.To facilitate the tasting, I ordered small cups for people to taste the chili and bowls for people to go back for their favorite. I made a chalk board sign to explain the process and each pot received a number so it would be a blind taste test. This year I bought these chopping mats at the Dollar Tree which came two to a pack to put under the crock-pots. This helped keep the table a little cleaner after the ladles had been used. I also added cute pumpkin stickers and wrote a number on each with a marker to identify each chili.A table with orange cups, a container of napkins, plastic spoons, and a chalkboard sign with "Chili Cook-Off Rules" is set against a wall. Sunlight casts shadows on the setup, and rocks are visible in the background.

A package of pumpkin stickers containing 12 orange pumpkin images is shown. The package is priced at 97 cents and has a choking hazard warning in English and Spanish.Once all of our guests arrived, we had about 10 crock-pots of chili. Let me tell you, it was really hard to try them all! But it was a really fun way to keep people up and socializing.Covered patio with a barbecue grill, outdoor furniture, and a dining area. The yard features a well-maintained lawn, a wooden fence, and a storage shed. Trees provide shade and the overall setting is ready for outdoor gatherings.

A backyard patio features green cushioned chairs, a glass-top table, and a patio heater. The space is adorned with red accent pillows and surrounded by lush grass, a wooden fence, and a small garden shed.

A large metal bucket filled with a variety of beer bottles and cans on ice, placed outdoors. The bucket is surrounded by plants and flowers.The weekend before the party, Barry and I hung lights in the backyard to add a little ambiance. I wanted to mimic the look that a lot of restaurants and bars have on their patios. Since we already had a ton of white Christmas lights, we used those rather than buying new ones. I LOVE the way it turned out!A cozy backyard at night, featuring string lights overhead and lit candles on tables. Green cushioned chairs surround a patio area with a wooden fence in the background. The ambiance is warm and inviting.

A cozy backyard evening scene with string lights overhead. A patio chair with a colorful pillow sits next to a small table holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. A candle glows underneath the table. In the background, seating surrounds a fire pit.

A cozy backyard with a round fire pit surrounded by four Adirondack chairs on gravel. String lights above illuminate the area, creating a warm atmosphere. A wooden fence and trees encircle the scene, adding privacy and charm.

A cozy backyard patio at night, featuring string lights overhead, green cushioned chairs with red and patterned pillows, a table with lit candles, and a wooden playhouse in the background. Trees and a wooden fence surround the area.

A backyard at night with a dining table and six chairs on grass. String lights are hung across the yard, illuminating the space. A shed and a tree are visible in the background, along with a seating area near a fire pit. These were a little challenging to hang since we attached them to our trees, but the look was still there. I am just sad we can’t leave them up. But rest assured, I will be brainstorming a way to make them permanent for next year 🙂 What do you think?

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A table set for a chili cook-off party with a voting jar and pencils. A sign invites guests to vote for categories: Best Overall, Spiciest, Most Creative. Outdoor seating and a buffet with refreshments are visible in the background.

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