GLENVIEW, Ill. — KRAFT Natural Cheese is partnering with the International Chili Society (ICS) to sponsor the first ever People’s Choice Challenge at the 45th Anniversary of the 2011 World’s Championship Chili Cookoff. Scheduled for the first weekend in October in Manchester, NH, people from across the country will go head-to-head in a chili showdown, offering their own unique cheesy chili concoctions.
Approximately 160 chili cooks will compete in the People’s Choice Challenge on Sunday, Oct. 2. Thousands of Chiliheads will taste and judge which three chili challengers will be chosen for the ultimate showdown from center stage as Kraft Culinaries, Chili Dignitaries and selected special judges crown the KRAFT Natural Cheese People’s Choice Challenge winner.
The top chili challengers will take home $10,000 in prize money and ultimate bragging rights. Prizes are paid out to the top 3 places: 1st ($3,000), 2nd ($1,500), and 3rd ($500). For extra incentive, prize amounts double if KRAFT Natural Cheese is used in their recipe.
“Kraft Natural Cheese is thrilled to be part of the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff,” says Arthur Sevilla, Brand Manager, Kraft Foods. “We believe, however, chili isn’t complete unless it includes cheese. Kraft Natural Cheese brings not only incremental flavor but also a smooth creamy melt to any chili dish.”
“We are excited to join forces with a company as renowned and respected as Kraft Foods,” said Carol Hancock, president of ICS. “Through this partnership, we will be able to offer more prize money for the teams and continue to grow our donations to the chili charity network. We’ll also have the opportunity to engage and entertain more chili consumers and fans.”
Kraft Foods will also host a sampling area all three days where chiliheads can sample chili and cheesy recipes from the Kraft Kitchens. After almost 100 years of making world championship cheese, it’s only natural that Kraft Foods sponsors the People’s Choice Challenge at the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff.
About Kraft Foods
Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) is a global snacks powerhouse with an unrivaled portfolio of brands people love. Proudly marketing delicious biscuits, confectionery, beverages, cheese, grocery products and convenient meals in approximately 170 countries, Kraft Foods had 2010 revenue of $49.2 billion, more than half of which was earned outside North America. Twelve of the company’s iconic brands — including Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oreo, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Trident and Tang — generate revenue of more than $1 billion annually, and 40 have been loved for more than a century. A leader in innovation, marketing, health & wellness and sustainability, Kraft Foods is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index. For more information, visit www.kraftfoodscompany.com and www.facebook.com/kraftfoodscorporate.
About the International Chili Society
Founded in 1967, the International Chili Society is an organization that sanctions chili cookoffs with judging and cooking rules & regulations. These events are worldwide and benefit charities or non-profit organizations. Local winners of ICS sanctioned cookoffs qualify to compete for cash prizes and awards throughout the year. Top-level winners compete for a chance to participate at the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff held each year in October for a total prize package of $55,000. The ICS sanctioned over 200 cookoffs with over one million people tasting, cooking, judging and having a great time. ICS sanctioned cookoffs include three categories: Red (traditional red chili), Chili Verde (green chili) and Salsa. The ICS annually crowns a World Champion in each category.
Source: Kraft Foods
