Fire & Ice Competition

Chile is to be judged on the following criteria using a scale from 1-10 in each category, with ‘1’ = obviously a newbie and ‘10’ = perfection! (All categories carry the same weight in points.)

AROMA - Chile should smell appetizing. What are the aromas of the chile?

COLOR - Does the color look appealing?

CONSISTENCY – Most, but not all, chile have a combination of meat and gravy. A watered-down chili would likely score lower than a robust blend.

TASTE - Of course it should taste good! But does it taste like chile? And is it appealing? (Please do not score down based on spiciness – some like it hot!)

AFTERTASTE - Yes, aftertaste. Is what you are left with still pleasant after you swallow your taste? (Again, please try not to score down if it is spicier than you prefer – if it is just plain too spicy to have enjoyed, this is where you would score down but be courteous, please.)

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

Judge each chile on its own merit. Do your best to not compare entries. Take time to make your decision before moving on to the next entry. Entries cannot be re-tasted once the next entry is presented for judging. (If you really enjoyed an entry, save it, and devour it after you have judged the remaining entries).

Use a new spoon and cup for tasting each entry.

Pace yourself – this is a tasting event, not an eating event (save room for all entries).

Cleanse your palate after tasting each entry and before moving on to the next entry.

Place your score on the score card in each category for an entry before moving on to the next entry. Be sure you are scoring the entry that corresponds to the number on the container.

Keep your score card covered or folded between entries.

Please do not talk to fellow judges about the chile or compare scores/notes during judging. Let each judge make their own determination in all fairness to the contestants.

Ice Cream is to be judged on the following criteria using a scale from 1-5 in each category. (All categories carry the same weight in points.)

APPEARANCE - Observe before tasting. Does it look appetizing and look like it’s name?

CONSISTENCY - If it is a single flavor ice cream, is it smooth and creamy? If a blended flavor, such as “chocolate chunk” is it a blend of creamy and chunky?

FLAVOR - Does it taste like it is named? In other words, if it is “S’mores” do you detect flavors of chocolate, graham and marshmallow?

AROMA - Yes. You can smell ice cream – not just in the container, but also by bringing the taste to the back of your tongue to bring the aroma up (think of tasting a smoky BBQ entry, whereby closing your mouth to breathe through your nose you make pick up a smoky flavor – the same can be done when tasting ice cream.)

CREATIVITY - This is the wild card! Did they take a risk with flavor combination? Or did they decorate, dress up, or display their entry in a fun, attractive manner?

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

Judge each entry on its own merit. Do your best to not compare entries. Take time to make your decision before moving on to the next entry. Entries cannot be re-tasted once you have moved on to the next entry – you can go back to enjoy more after all entries have been judged.

Use a new spoon or each entry and/or taste.

Pace yourself – this is a tasting event, not an eating event (go back afterwards). Cleanse your palate after tasting each entry and before moving on to the next entry.

Place your score on the score card in each category for an entry before moving on to the next entry. Keep your score card covered or folded between entries.

Please do not talk to fellow judges about an entry or compare scores/notes during judging. Let each judge make their own determination in all fairness to the contestants.

Have fun and talk with the kiddos! (Oh, and kid-cuteness counts).

THE RULES: