Chili & Cornbread Cookoff
The Mercy Parish Chili Cookoff and Cornbread Contest returns!
Join us on January 16th for first social event of 2026! Chili and cornbread will warm our tummies, and fun and fellowship will warm our hearts!
Once again, this year’s cookoff will feature THREE categories. Enter your chili as Traditional, Vegetarian or Exotic. Each category will be judged on Taste (30pts), Texture (25pts), Aroma (10pts), Appearance (10pts), and Spice (25pts)
Taste: The most important factor, chili should taste like chili and be a combination of spices and proteins, etc. with no one ingredient overpowering the others. Chili should have a pleasant aftertaste and not be bitter or metallic.
Texture: Chili should have a smooth, thick consistency, and not be too watery, or too dry, grainy, lumpy, or greasy.
Aroma: Chili should smell good, as this should indicates what the taste will be like.
Appearance: Chili should look appetizing and reflect the ingredients used.
Spice: Spice should be flavorful to compliment the dish, but heat should not overpower the flavors.
Each chili will be judged on its own merit.
Cornbread Contest entries will be judged on Taste (30pts), Texture (30pts), Aroma (20pts), and Appearance (20pts).
Taste: should be pleasant and not be bitter or metallic.
Texture: should not be dense or excessively heavy, too dry, grainy, lumpy, or greasy.
Aroma: should smell good, as this should indicates what the taste will be like.
Appearance: should look appetizing and reflect the ingredients used.
Each cornbread will be judged on its own merit
“People’s Choice Awards” will also be bestowed on chili and cornbread!
RSVP to attend and/or enter by Monday January 12 at
Most Merciful Jesus Catholic Parish: Chili Cookoff and Cornbread Contest