29th Annual Chili & Chowder Cook-Off

The Chili & Chowder Cook-Off is one of Camano Island's most cherished traditions — drawing 800+ community members through the doors and putting your business name in front of the people who live and shop in Stanwood-Camano year after year. It's also the Camano Chamber's only fundraiser for operational costs, so every registration, sponsorship, and donation goes directly toward keeping our Chamber — and the community programs it supports — running strong.

We know that running a business and keeping up with food costs is harder than ever right now, and we've designed this year's event with that in mind. Cook-off participants are asked to bring 15–20 gallons of chili or chowder, and for those who need it, we're happy to line you up to prep in a commercial kitchen — just let us know. To help offset your food costs, $5 from every ticket sold will be returned to participating cooks after the event.

Cook-off spots are limited to just 20 participants, so don't wait — priority is given to returning participants, but remaining spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register now to secure your spot or get on the waiting list. And yes, there's something to compete for! Awards will be presented for Best Chili, Best Chowder, and Best Booth Congeniality — our favorite new twist that celebrates the teams bringing the most friendliness, creativity, and good vibes to their table.

For businesses looking for greater visibility, our new Adopt-A-Pot Sponsorship ($500–$750) pairs you with a cook-off participant, features your name in the event program, and puts your brand front and center at their table — "Today's chili by [Cook], fueled by [Your Business]." You can even send one volunteer to help staff the table, and you'll receive a list of participating cooks so you can choose the pairing that fits best. Not ready for a full sponsorship? Our new Community Sponsorship welcomes donations at any level — and anyone contributing $100 or more will be recognized by name on a banner displayed at the event.

However you choose to get involved, you're helping keep a beloved island tradition alive. Thank you for being part of it.

🍲 Cook-Off Participant Information

Here's what you need to know! As a Cook-Off Participant, you'll prepare either chili, chowder, or both — served in samples to hundreds of hungry attendees. We provide the cups, spoons, and serving supplies. You provide the food.

And we do mean it — you'll need 20 GALLONS.

To put that in perspective:
📦 Required Amount
15–20 gallons per participant
🍽️ Estimated Servings
640–850 servings (3 oz each)
🥘 Pot Equivalent
4–5 large 16-quart pots
We'll do a quick check at entry to confirm you have enough to serve the crowd — we want your booth running strong all the way to 6 PM!

⏰ Arrival & Setup Deadline

All participants must be fully set up with food at proper serving temperature no later than 2:00 PM. Arriving late or arriving with food that hasn't reached temp may result in not being able to participate. Please plan accordingly!

📋 Food Safety Requirements

All Cook-Off Participants must hold a valid Food Handler's Permit and prepare food in an Island County Health Department-approved facility. Upon registration, we'll provide you with a list of approved kitchen locations available for your use prior to the event.

🤝 Want Help Offsetting Your Food Costs? Meet Adopt-A-Pot!

We know food costs are no joke — that's why we've introduced our new Adopt-A-Pot Sponsorship Program. Local businesses can sponsor a cook-off participant, helping offset the cost of ingredients in exchange for some well-deserved recognition at your booth and in the event program.

If you'd like to be matched with an Adopt-A-Pot sponsor, simply opt in below. Once sponsor sign-ups are finalized, you'll receive a list of participating businesses and have the opportunity to indicate who you'd like to be potentially paired with. Matches are not guaranteed but we'll do our best to honor preferences on both sides!

Being matched means your table could feature signage reading "Today's chili by [Your Business], fueled by [Sponsor Business]" — a great way to share the spotlight and ease the financial load of participating.

Look for the opt-in question below in this form.

🏷️ Choose Your Participation Level

Option 1 — Cook-Off Participant & Advertiser
$135 Chamber Member | $185 Non-Member

• Sponsor logo with website link on the Chili & Chowder event webpage
• Business featured on Chamber social media (2 posts prior to the event)
• Business name in bold on the contestant list on the back of the event program
• Booth at the event to serve your chili/chowder and promote your business
• Press release announcing your participation
• One complimentary tasting kit

Option 2 — Cook-Off Participant Only
$75 Chamber Member | $125 Non-Member

• Booth at the event to serve your chili/chowder and promote your business
• Business name on the contestant list on the back of the event program
• Press release announcing your participation
• One complimentary tasting kit

🤝 Adopt-A-Pot Sponsorship — Make an Impact & Get Noticed

The Adopt-A-Pot Sponsorship is a brand new opportunity to support one of Camano Island's most beloved community traditions while putting your business in front of 800+ attendees at the 29th Annual Chili & Chowder Cook-Off. We know the cost of running a business is challenging right now — and so is the cost of feeding a crowd. That's exactly why we created this program. For a sponsorship of $500–$750, your funds go directly to the cook-off participant you're paired with, helping offset the very real cost of preparing 15–20 gallons of chili or chowder for the community. In return, your business will be featured in the event program and prominently displayed at their booth with signage reading "Today's chili/chowder by [Participant], fueled by [Your Business]" — giving you visible, community-facing recognition throughout the entire event. You may also send one volunteer to help staff the table alongside the cook-off team. Once registered, you'll receive a list of participating cooks and have the opportunity to indicate who you'd like to be matched with. It's a win for your business, a win for the cook, and a win for the community event that brings us all together every November.

Becoming an Event Sponsor gives your organization a powerful presence at one of Camano Island's most anticipated community gatherings — and cooking is completely optional!

All Event Sponsors receive:

• Optional booth to serve chili/chowder with your choice of booth location
• Company logo on 5,000 promotional brochures and 100 posters
• Press release announcing your company as a sponsor
• Sponsor logo with website link on the event webpage
• Optional distribution of your promotional materials to all participants 
• 3 complimentary tasting kits
• Company banner displayed at the event (provided by the Chamber)
• Sponsorship acknowledgement at the event and in Chamber newsletters
• Business featured on Chamber social media

Sponsorships are held for up to two consecutive years before opening to new applicants. Select any level below — available sponsorships will be confirmed, and we'll personally follow up with everyone who submits this form.

Please select your desired sponsorship level. Don't let "Claimed" or "Pending" stop you from signing up! Here's how it works:

✅ Available — Your sponsorship will be confirmed and we'll follow up with next steps
⏳ Pending — We are verifying with last years sponsor; you'll be added as the following contact if it opens up
🔒 Claimed — Currently held for this year; select it to be added to the list for future years

💛 Community Sponsorship — Every Dollar Makes a Difference

The Chili & Chowder Cook-Off has been bringing Camano Island together for over 30 years — with a brief pause during COVID — and it doesn't happen without the support of this incredible community. If you love this event and want to help keep it going, a Community Sponsorship is the perfect way to show it. You choose the amount — any donation is welcome and deeply appreciated. As a thank you, anyone contributing $100 or more will have their name displayed on a banner at the event, seen by 800+ attendees throughout the afternoon. Community Sponsorship funds are split between the cook-off participants after the event, helping offset the very real expense of preparing 15–20 gallons of chili or chowder for the crowd. It's a direct, meaningful way to support both the event and the hardworking people who show up to feed everyone. Whether you give $10 or $1,000, you're part of what makes this day possible.

If you are participating in the event as anything OTHER than a Community Sponsor you will receive an invoice from Stripe in your email. 

Payment must be received to hold your spot.