21st Annual Burnin’ Down Main Cook-Off and Dessert Contest Oct. 7, 2023
McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson Main Street invites you to put your cooking and judging skills to the test on Oct. 7 for the 21st Annual Burnin’ Down Main.
If you aren’t entering in the contests, but love to taste chili or soup, you can judge for $5 a wristband. Businesses can buy wristbands for their employees in bulk as well. For those entering in the cook-off or dessert contest, the top three winners will have the chance to earn cash prizes.
Also at the plaza, there will be a free bounce house, free pumpkins, face painting a DJ, music, and Cow Bingo where you purchase a spot for $10 and whatever spot the cow decides to take a plop on, the winner will get a prize. There will also be T-Shirts you can purchase for a chance to win a $500 Shopping Spree.
Chili/Soup Cook-off Rules:
- MEAT: pre-cook it at home.
- INGREDIENTS: Anything but Alcohol.
- PREP WORK: Prepping can be done at home BUT COMBINING & COOKING (except meat) is to be done at event.
- START TIME: Set up any time after 6:30 a.m. IN YOUR ASSIGNED SPACE. BE READY TO START SERVING AT 11:30 a.m. SHARP!
- GALLONS: MINIMUM of 4 gallons. If you run out, you will lose votes.
- SUPPLIES: Bring EVERYTHING you need to cook and for booth/display, including tables. (See #10).
- DECORATIONS: Optional, but to be judged in the BEST THEME/DRESSED/DECORATED TEAM/BOOTH contest, you will need to check the box on the entry form and put some effort into it. Be creative & energetic as it will draw people to your booth. Judges will determine if entry qualifies for consideration, prize will not be automatically awarded.
- CONDIMENTS: You CANNOT sell or give away any food or drink, but are allowed to have condiments like peppers, cheese, catsup, crackers, etc. to accent your dish.
- HOUSEKEEPING: Please have a washing station with a thermal jug of hot water, soap and a towel. Keep your area clean and trash picked up. (Trash Cans will be supplied). Some hand sanitizer will also be provided.
- WE PROVIDE: Ladle sized for serving, sampling cups, gloves, ballot box, spoons and napkins, & two wristbands without votes, for you to taste other entries.
- ELECTRICITY: The NEW SYSTEM should be completed, but roasters pull 12 amps each. You will need at least a 20-amp 12 Gauge heavy duty cord and/or heavy-duty power strip. Cords must be secured and/or marked with cones to avoid a trip hazard. Other heat sources like camping stoves, grills, turkey fryers, are allowed, but any fire pits, chiminea, or wood burning devices that are not normally used for cooking food must be pre-approved with the fire department. Gas generators are prohibited.
- VOTING: Public will vote between 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., each $5 tasting wristband will have 2 votes (1-Chili; 1-Soup). There will be 3 winners in each category (based on a minimum of 6 entries per category).
- JUDGING: The Best Theme/Dressed/Decorated Team/Booth, if qualified, will be judged by a secret panel and will win $200. We also have a judged Dessert Contest (see separate entry form & rules).
- ACTIVITIES: There will be family friendly activities like free pumpkins for kids to decorate and free inflatables for the kids.
Cash Prizes:
- First place $500
- 2nd Place $250
- 3rd Place $100
Dessert Contest Rules:
- All desserts must contain Candy (any variety or mixture of), as a mandatory ingredient.
- Multiple entries are allowed, but each entry is $10, payable in advance, non-refundable.
- All preparation and cooking shall be done off-site, prior to check-in at the judging table the day of event.
- Entry should be served in a DISPOSABLE pan or container (NO GLASS), in the quantity specified below, and should be clearly marked with name of dessert, category and contestant name.
- ENTRIES ARE JUDGED ON TASTE ONLY, NOT ON PRESENTATION.
- Entries must be checked in at the judging table by 10:45 a.m., October 7, 2023. Table will be located on the Plaza and clearly marked. Entries will be assigned a number upon check in for blind judging.
- A panel of judges will determine a 1st place, 2nd and 3rd place winner. Judging will take place at 11 a.m. and winners will be announced at approx. 2:00 p.m. Judging will be based on a minimum of 6 total entries per category.
- After judging, dessert samples will be served to those wearing wristbands, while supplies last. You will not get your dessert back.
Dessert Choices
Cake/Brownie/Muffin/Bread
- Cake – 9×13 OR 2 layer 9” or larger
- Cupcakes/Muffins – 2 dozen or more REGULAR size NOT
- Mini Brownie/Bars – 3 dozen 2” or larger
- Bread ~ 1 large loaf or 4 mini loaves
- Cookies– 4 dozen 2” or larger
Cash Prizes:
- 1st Place $100
- 2nd Place $50
- 3rd Place $25
Entries will be due Sept. 26. for both Chili/Soup Cook-Off and Dessert Contest. (Links for entry information will be posted soon).
For questions, contact McPherson Main Street Director, Lauren Pesek at 620-241-7430 or [email protected]
