Charleston WV CVB:
Chiliheads from all over the world will turn Appalachian Power Park into a field of culinary dreams in October as they compete in the World's Championship Chili Cook-off. In its 43-year history, the event has never been held east of the Mississippi River until now.

"We are really, really happy to be here," said Carol Hancock, International Chili Society chief executive officer and owner. "I have to give credit to the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau because they contacted me and said come and look at Charleston."

"I've been to probably 20 events since we've announced the Charleston location and the chili cooks are pretty excited about coming here."

Favorable climate is the main reason the event has been held on the West Coast, she said. Hancock and other organizers considered the downtown riverfront area and Capitol Market as potential locations before settling on Appalachian Power Park.

"The real attraction of Power Park is that is a nice place to be and it has seating already in place. We won't have to bring that in," she said. "It's also confined and has food vendors and concessions."

Organizers expect nearly 400 competitors, each of whom qualified to compete in the world championships by winning a regional competition in a red chili, chili verde (green chili) or salsa category. The prize money totals $40,000, with the first-place red chili winner receiving $25,000.

Competitors and their families will travel to Charleston, stay in local lodgings, dine and purchase their chili ingredients here. At least 3,000 attendees are expected to generate a economic impact of about $1.8 million, said Jennifer Brown of Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"Don't forget the branding value for Charleston," said Mayor Danny Jones, who noted that coverage of the World's Strongest Man competition held in September 2008 still runs on ESPN. As yet, no arrangements have been made with the Food Network or Travel Channel, although the Food Network has covered the international cook-off in previous years, Hancock said.

Hancock expects the cook-off to cost about $170,000. Major sponsors include the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Oso Sweet onions; Central West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau; city of Charleston; Proud Eagle Distributing; West Virginia Power Baseball; Delegate Doug Skaff, D-Kanawha; Capitol Market; West Virginia Wild and Wonderful; and Tri-State Casino & Resort.

Tent sponsorships are available for $250 and include a company logo on the tent. So far, 15 of the 80 tents have sponsors.

"Sponsors are providing a firm backbone," said Jones. "We need some more of that backbone and we hope sponsors will come forward."

The International Chili Society is a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $86 million for charitable or other nonprofit organizations, Hancock said. Profits generated at regional cook-offs are designated for specific charities. To date, no charity has been assigned to the 2009 world competition.

Charleston hosts two regional competitions annually: the Capitol Market Green Chili Shootout and the Smoke on the Water Chili Cook-off, which benefit HospiceCare and the National MS Society.

The competition marks one of the few events held on the playing surface of Appalachian Power Park. Andy Milovich, general manager, said he hopes to minimize damage to the field.

"We obviously don't want to jeopardize the field, but we're happy to have a chance to attract an event of this magnitude," Milovich said. "The park is not just for baseball. It's for the whole community. Events like this make Charleston a fun place to live and grow up in."

The weekend-long events begin Oct. 9, with a Last Chance Chili Cook-off. The first-place winners in all three categories in that event will qualify to compete in the world competitions Saturday and Sunday.

On Oct. 10 from noon to 5 p.m., chili verde and salsa cooks will compete for world's-best honors. Cooks also prepare chili for the People's Choice competition, in which visitors taste samples and vote for their favorites.

"You'd better come early if you want a taste," Hancock said. "They'll all be gone by 1 o'clock."

The traditional red chili competition will be Oct. 11 from noon to 4 p.m., as will the Miss Chili Pepper and Mister Hot Sauce contests and Best Booth competitions.

The competitions require about 350 judges.

"The atmosphere is party, party, party," said Hancock. "Everyone is so glad to see each other. It's like a huge family reunion."