Chili Cook-Off set for this weekend in Blackwell

The Top of OK Jam organization, which hosted Blackwell’s first red dirt country music concert during the 2021 Homecoming weekend, is seeking the best chili masters in the county for the group’s first Chili Classic Cook-off Saturday at the Blackwell Event Center.

Chili-cooking teams can enter the event for $35. Guests can join in on all-you-can-eat taste-testing for $10. There is no admission charge for children under the age of 5. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places, and a People’s Choice award will be given. Beer, wine, soda and water will be served by Blackwell Veterans of Foreign Wars

members.

Musical artists Levi Walker and Cassy Kendrick will perform at the Event Center, and the line-up for the 2022 Top of OK Jam will be announced.

The entry form, which can be downloaded on the City of Blackwell’s website or the Top of OK Jam’s Facebook page, requires a team name, the name of the team captain, the chili recipe name, a spiciness rating of 1-5 and contact details.

Teams will be responsible for setting up and cleaning their assigned stations.

Entry forms can be submitted to topofokjam@ gmail.com.

Top of OK Jam officials posted the rules for the cook-off on the group’s Facebook page, “Top of OK Jam.” The rules match the International Chili Competition Society’s. A minimum of three hours and a maximum of four hours must be allowed for the chili to cook.

Teams will have to cook a minimum of one gallon of chili and are allowed to set up at the Event Center any time after 9 a.m. that day. Teams cannot have more than five members, and team members’ names must be provided an hour prior to the event.