Dixie Deer Classic chili cook-offs
Sat, Mar 6, 2027 and Sun, Mar 7, 2027 · Raleigh, NC · ICS-sanctioned
Our take written by Chili Times
The Dixie Deer Classic adds two ICS cook-offs to its outdoor expo at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, on consecutive days. The listing describes a cook-off that uses venison and no other meat in the Homestyle category on Saturday.
Each day offers four categories at $35.00. Public tasting on the venison day is $15 from 12 noon to 3pm, for two ounces from each cook, unlimited tasting and a bottle of water. Both listings call the event a qualifier.
Our plain-language reading of the sanctioning body's listing quoted on this page. It adds no facts of its own.
Dixie Deer Classic Venison Chili Cook-off Sat, Mar 6, 2027
Date as printed
Dixie Deer Classic Venison Chili Cook-off
Location as printed
Saturday03/06/2027
Location as printed
North Carolina State Fairgrounds 4285 Trinity Road Raleigh,NC
| Category | Entry fee |
|---|---|
| Traditional Red | $35.00 |
| Homestyle | $35.00 |
| Chili Verde | $35.00 |
| Veggie | $35.00 |
Traditional Red: fee and prizes
Traditional Red Entry Fee: $35.00 Prizes 1st - TBD 2nd - TBD 3rd - TBD
Homestyle: fee and prizes
Homestyle Entry Fee: $35.00 Prizes 1st - TBD 2nd - TBD 3rd - TBD
Chili Verde: fee and prizes
Chili Verde Entry Fee: $35.00 Prizes 1st - TBD 2nd - TBD 3rd - TBD
Veggie: fee and prizes
Veggie Entry Fee: $35.00 Prizes 1st - TBD 2nd - TBD 3rd - TBD
For visitors
Event Hours 9am – 7pm $15 Chili Tasting 12 noon – 3pm (Two ounces from each cook, unlimited tasting and a bottle of water) The Dixie Deer Classic is the premier Trophy Whitetail Deer Show in the country and the largest outdoor expo in the south.
The DDC includes appearance by outdoor celebrities, educational and instructional seminars, vendors promoting the latest outdoors gear, the state turkey calling championship, the state archery tournament, several activities for families and children.
We are including a chili cook-off that is only using venison (in the Homestyle).
For more information check out the following website: DDC Website: https://www.dixiedeerclassic.org/.
Venison Chili Cook Off webpage: https://www.dixiedeerclassic.org/venison-chili-cook-off
For cooks
THIS EVENT IS A 2027 QUALIFIER!
You must be an ICS Member to compete.
Entry fees are separate per category (i.e.
Red, Homestyle, Verde, etc.) and will be collected independently by the Cook-off Organizer.
• 10X10 space provided with access to free water and sewer • Cooks must bring their own canopy/tent, table & chairs and supplies.
• Tables, chairs, and electricity are available for additional charge • Assistance in retrieving water, set up and tear down available to all cooks.
• All cooks must bring their own fire extinguisher to the cook off
Day 1: 8-8:30 AM: Cooks Meeting.
People's Choice
ALL CONTESTANTS must prepare THREE gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC) in addittion to entry fees.
Note - the number of gallons of PC is per cook not per category.
Dixie Deer Classic Chili Cook-off Sun, Mar 7, 2027
Date as printed
Dixie Deer Classic Chili Cook-off
Location as printed
Sunday03/07/2027
Location as printed
North Carolina State Fairgrounds 4285 Trinity Road Raleigh,NC
| Category | Entry fee |
|---|---|
| Traditional Red | $35.00 |
| Homestyle | $35.00 |
| Chili Verde | $35.00 |
| Veggie | $35.00 |
Traditional Red: fee and prizes
Traditional Red Entry Fee: $35.00 Prizes 1st - TBD 2nd - TBD 3rd - TBD
Homestyle: fee and prizes
Homestyle Entry Fee: $35.00 Prizes 1st - TBD 2nd - TBD 3rd - TBD
Chili Verde: fee and prizes
Chili Verde Entry Fee: $35.00 Prizes 1st - TBD 2nd - TBD 3rd - TBD
Veggie: fee and prizes
Veggie Entry Fee: $35.00 Prizes 1st - TBD 2nd - TBD 3rd - TBD
For visitors
Event Hours 9am – 7pm The Dixie Deer Classic is the premier Trophy Whitetail Deer Show in the country and the largest outdoor expo in the south.
The DDC includes appearance by outdoor celebrities, educational and instructional seminars, vendors promoting the latest outdoors gear, the state turkey calling championship, the state archery tournament, several activities for families and children.
We are including a chili cook-off that is only using venison (in the Homestyle) on Saturday.
Venison Chili Cook Off webpage: https://www.dixiedeerclassic.org/venison-chili-cook-off
For cooks
THIS EVENT IS A 2027 QUALIFIER!
You must be an ICS Member to compete.
Entry fees are separate per category (i.e.
Red, Homestyle, Verde, etc.) and will be collected independently by the Cook-off Organizer.
• 10X10 space provided with access to free water and sewer • Cooks must bring their own canopy/tent, table & chairs and supplies.
• Tables, chairs, and electricity are available for additional charge • Assistance in retrieving water, set up and tear down available to all cooks.
• All cooks must bring their own fire extinguisher to the cook off
Day 1: 8-8:30 AM: Cooks Meeting.
How to enter
ICS: who can compete
Adult Cooks: Must be active ICS members and 18 years old and over.
The listing's own registration and details are on ICS cook-off listing: Dixie Deer Classic Venison Chili Cook-off.
Check before you go. Cook-off dates, fees and details change, and events can be cancelled. Confirm on ICS cook-off listing: Dixie Deer Classic Venison Chili Cook-off and ICS: Upcoming Cook-offs; we last found these words there on October 14, 2026.
Other North Carolina cook-offs on the calendar
By date, not a ranking.
- Newport VFW 8986 Chili Cook-off · Sat, Jan 30, 2027
- Cook-off Before the Kickoff · Sat, Feb 13, 2027