This year’s Chili Cook-Off at the Faire on the Square will be for restaurants and professional cooks from Watertown. There is still time to enter the contest, which will be judged at the Faire on Sept. 13, 2025. See the information provided by the City Events Team, below.
The “Battle of the Bowls” contest is being organized by the City of Watertown’s Events Team. The competition is open to professional cooks (licensed kitchens). To enter and for more information email Jen at jnicholson@watertown-ma.gov. See the contest details below.
CONTEST DETAILS:
- The chili cook-off challenge is open to Watertown restaurants/professional cooks only.
- Chili must be made from scratch in a licensed kitchen.
- Each participant may only submit one chili.
- Chili must be brought to the Faire fully prepared between 11AM and 12PM on Saturday, September 13, 2025 to the Soldiers’ Monument Plaza located on Main Street, next to City Hall.
- A representative from the restaurant must remain on site at the event.
- Participants must provide all food ingredients and their pot to be used for the event.
- Participants are welcome to bring marketing, promotions, and giveaways to accompany their table.
- The Faire will provide all equipment to keep the chili warmed until judging occurs. The Faire will also provide one 6 ft banquet table and two chairs per participating eatery as well as all serving sample cups and utensils.
- A recipe must accompany your chili. All recipes must be printed out (not written) with the full ingredient list.
- Submissions will not be accepted without the full recipe/list of ingredients.
- Samples of each entry will be assigned a number when delivered for judging to allow for anonymity during judging.
- No new entries will be allowed on the day of the contest – all participants must have a completed preregistration. (Deadline has been extended past Sept. 5)
- The submitted chili becomes the property of the Watertown’s Faire on the Square. Any remaining chili after judging will be given out to attendees as samples (individual pots/containers brought by participants will be returned to their owner).
- Restaurants will work with the Faire planners to ensure any and all health permits and preparation/serving regulations are properly followed.
- Winners grant permission to use their name & photo for marketing purposes.
- All restaurants will be featured on the Faire’s website and included in a social media spotlight.
- Participating eateries are welcome and encouraged to stay at their booth for the duration of the event following the contest (through 5 p.m.) to engage with the community.
Enter at https://fots.planningpod.com/