New at the Toy Run
Chili Cook-Off
Bring your best pot to the Wise County Toy Run and see how it stacks up. Riders, families, and judges will be tasting, and the winner is crowned the Toy Run Chili of the Year.
- When
- December 6, 2026
- Check-in
- 10:30 AM
- Tasting and judging
- 11 AM to 2 PM
- Where
- Wise County Fairgrounds
Enter your chili
The entry fee is $25, paid when you sign up online. Sign up by November 30, 2026 at midnight.
Got more than one recipe? Enter as many as you like. Each chili needs its own sign-up and $25 fee.
What to bring
- At least 6 quarts of chili in a Crock-Pot or slow cooker
- Your own serving ladle
- A food thermometer
We'll have
- Electricity and power strips
- Tasting cups and utensils
- An ingredient card for each entry
Any kind of meat, beans, pasta, or other chili fixins is welcome.
Cook-off rules
Serving
You or someone on your team needs to stay with your chili and serve samples the whole time, from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Ingredient cards
Fill out the card we give you and set it next to your chili. List every ingredient, including the meat and toppings, so folks can avoid what they need to. Circle the peppers to show how hot it is.
Keep it hot and safe
Bring your chili cooked, hot, and ready to serve, and keep it at 140°F or above. If it was cooked ahead and refrigerated, reheat it to 165°F on the stove, in the microwave, or in the oven first, then move it to a preheated slow cooker. Don't reheat cold chili in the slow cooker.
Judges and tasters
Anyone can taste. Get your tickets online now, or buy them at the event while they last. Judging spots are limited, so grab yours early.
Judges $10
Sample every chili and fill out a scoring sheet.
Tasters $5
Sample up to five chilies.
How judges score
Judges rate each chili from 1 to 5 in five categories, for up to 25 points per judge. The chief organizer or a tie-breaker judge settles any ties.
- AromaAn inviting, savory smell.
- Color and appearanceRich and appetizing.
- ConsistencyA good balance of solids to liquid.
- FlavorWell seasoned, without too much salt, bitterness, or burnt taste.
- Aftertaste and heatA pleasant finish, with heat that complements the flavor instead of overpowering it.
The prize
Toy Run Chili of the Year
The winner takes home a plaque or trophy, $25 cash, and a year of bragging rights.
Coordinated by
3 W's Smoke Shack
Unspoken Souls
Questions? Call Jeff Honeycutt at 817-980-1981 or email [email protected].