SAN DIEGO—A record 18 credit union teams have registered to compete in the Xpress Data 2016 Credit Union Chili Challenge.
The fourth annual event, which is sanctioned by the International Chili Society, will be held Aug. 6 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack in Del Mar, Calif.
“It’s exciting to see the momentum of this event continue to grow,” said Xpress Data Founder Mike Cooper. “Credit unions love to compete with each other and they love to raise money for charity.”
At least $10,000 in prize money will be donated to charities designated by the first-, second- and third-place winners, he said. Additionally, the winning team will earn the right to compete in the International Chili Society’s World Championship Chili Cookoff, scheduled for Oct. 21-23 in Reno, Nev.
According to Cooper, 100% of each $500 entry fee is applied toward the prize money. If the event draws more than 20 teams, the prize total will grow to more than $10,000.
Xpress Data will furnish each credit union with a 10-foot by 10-foot canopy, two eight-foot tables, two chairs, a two-burner propane stove with propane, a nine-foot custom banner produced from artwork provided by the credit union, one parking pass and four admission tickets to the racetrack. Credit unions need only provide their chili ingredients, utensils and chili chefs.
Among the returning credit unions are 2015’s first-place winner, OE Federal Credit Union; second-place winner, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union; and third-place winner Kinecta Federal Credit Union.
Interested credit unions can register online at www.xdi.com/ChiliChallenge until July 8.