Enter Now for the Industrial Strength Chili Cookoff

Register Your Best Chili or Salsa Now!

The first entries are in for the 2012 Industrial Strength Chili Cookoff. This year's event will be bigger, better and hotter than ever! Tastebud tingling chili, savory salsa, hot-hot-hot sauce and lively music will take the temperature up a notch Saturday night, September 22, for the Fourth Annual Industrial Strength Chili Cookoff. This fun benefit for the Industrial Arts Center takes place 6-10 pm at the Gulfport Art Village Courtyard, Beach Boulevard and 29th Avenue South.

Registration for hot sauce vendors and competing cooks is open now at www.IndustrialArtsCenter.com or by calling 727-289-9365. Registration forms are also available at Red Hot Tiki, 2904 Beach Blvd. S. in Gulfport. Cooks will receive a commemorative cookoff apron, beverage tickets and other perks. Complete rules for cooks and hot sauce vendors are available online. Entries for chili or salsa judging will be accepted until Wednesday, September 19.

Grand prize judging will be back for the best salsa, in addition to the hotly contested annual chili judging. To step up the heat, Tampa Bay area hot sauce vendors will offer their wares for sale. Free hot sauce samples will be available to brave chili cookoff ticket holders.

Creators of some of last year's top rated chilis will be back along with new faces. Cooks will compete for hand blown glass art created at the Industrial Arts Center. Votes for the People's Choice Award will be sold for $1 each to support the IAC operating fund. The panel of three judges will comprise one local celebrity, one media representative and one local chef. Judges and entertainment will be announced later.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for kids 12 & under. For information, visit the IAC online at www.IndustrialArtsCenter.com or call 727-289-9365.