Looking for a fun dinner party idea? Host a Mexican theme party with a friendly chili cook-off! Here’s how to host one.
When my supper club last got together for a Mexican theme party, we made lots of amazing dishes with tables inspired by the culture.
For this month’s supper club, we are kicking it up a notch with a little friendly competition. And I love this theme!
We are cooking up big ol’ pots of chili for a cook-off party that is so going to be so fun. In today’s post, we are sharing some table inspiration and hosting ideas, and on Saturday, we are each sharing our favorite chili recipes.
Do you have a favorite chili recipe you love? Then come join us for a chili showdown for a Mexican theme dinner party.
Here’s how to host a chili cook-off.
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Supper Club
We’ve been having a great time with our supper club and this month we are having a little friendly competition with a chili cook-off party. This is a fun idea for any Texas or Mexican-themed party.
So today, we are sharing lots of fun entertaining, table centerpieces, and decorating ideas.
If you are coming from Rachel from The Ponds Farmhouse, welcome to my home. I’m thrilled you dropped by.
In case you are new here, I’m Stacy, a self-taught master gardener who lives and gardens in northern New Jersey, zone 6a.
We recently moved to a beautiful 1850 Farmhouse with 10 acres of gardens, sculptures and statues.
I’ve been gardening for over 20 years and enjoy helping beginner gardeners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. I love to bring the outdoors inside my home too.
I hope you enjoy visiting my home today and hope you come back so we can grow stuff and create beautiful spaces together.
Mexican Theme Party Ideas
A Mexican theme party can be a fun and festive way to celebrate a variety of occasions, from birthdays and holidays to summer gatherings and other social events.
It incorporates decorations, food, and music that are inspired by Mexican culture. Here are some ideas for throwing a festive Mexican theme party:
Decorations for a Mexican theme party often include colorful banners, piñatas, and sombreros. Brightly colored tablecloths, flowers, and candles can also be used to create a festive atmosphere.
Mexican cuisine is an important part of a Mexican theme party. Popular foods include tacos, enchiladas, chili, guacamole, salsa, and chips. Margaritas, tequila, and other Mexican beverages are also commonly served.
If you really want it to feel more like you are celebrating in Mexico, encourage guests to wear traditional Mexican clothing or wear sombreros, ponchos, or colorful dresses.
Of course, you’ll need some Mexican music that includes pop music, mariachi, ranchera, and cumbia.
Some fun Mexican theme party activities to offer include to piñata, dancing, or a tequila tasting. You could even host a costume contest or other games and activities that are inspired by Mexican culture.
What Is a Cook-Off Party?
A cook-off party is a social gathering where participants compete against one another to prepare the best dish, typically with a specific theme or type of food. The dishes are often judged by a panel or by attendees of the party, with prizes awarded to the winners.
Cook-off parties can be a fun and engaging way to get people more involved and can provide a great opportunity to showcase culinary skills, experiment with new recipes, and sample a variety of different dishes.
Some common types of cook-off parties include:
- Chili
- BBQ
- Soup Parties
- Hot Wings
- Pulled Pork
- Lasagna
- Spaghetti with Meatballs
- BurgersMac ‘n Cheese
- Meatloaf
- Dessert
- Cocktail
To host a cook-off party, it’s important to establish the rules and guidelines for the event, such as the theme or type of food, the cooking equipment and supplies that will be provided, and the judging criteria.
Participants should be encouraged to bring their own ingredients and equipment, and the host may need to provide cooking stations, tables, and other necessary supplies.
Cook-off parties can be a great way to bring people together and create a fun and engaging atmosphere. They can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels and can provide a great opportunity to build community and foster new friendships.
How to Host a Chili Cook-Off for a Mexican Theme Party
Organizing a chili cook-off can be a fun and rewarding experience, and it’s a great way to bring people together and enjoy good food and good company.
Here are some tips for organizing a super fun chili cook-off party.
Choose a Location
Are you hosting indoors or out? Do you need a larger space? Is this chili cook-off party for fun or are you fundraising for a cause?
When choosing a location for a cook-off party, consider factors such as accessibility, size, and available facilities.
You may also need to consider the weather and whether you need to provide shelter or shade for participants and attendees.
Plan Ahead
You’ll definitely need to plan ahead to pull off a chili cook-off party. Consider what supplies and equipment you will need for the event, such as tables, chairs, cooking equipment, serving supplies, and decorations.
But also consider how each participant’s chili will be made or prepared on-site. Will you need extension cords and power strips?
Think about offering additional food and drinks for participants and attendees. And consider how you’ll play music for the event. Do you have a sound system or will a few remote speakers work?
Consider how you will tally the voting for each chili the day of. Maybe attendants each get a marble and they add a marble to a glass or mason jar of their favorite recipe. Whoever has the most marbles wins.
And consider what prizes you’ll award the chili cook-off party winner.
Determine what is expected of participants and attendees, such as the type of chili that can be made, the amount of chili that must be provided, and any other requirements.
Include all of the rules and guidelines on the invitation so everyone knows what to expect, especially if they are participating.
Set the Date and Send Invites
Choose a date and time and invite your friends and family with a festive invitation. If you are hosting a cook-off party as a fundraising event, you’ll want to enlarge the scope of your invites.
I still prefer hand-sent or handmade invites over electronic, but Evite works pretty well so you can track who’s participating and what kind of chili they are making with a few clicks.
Consider decorating the invite with Mexican theme party ideas so guests know what to expect and get excited to attend.
Decorate the Day Before
If possible, decorate, and set up the cooking and serving areas well before the cook-off party is scheduled to begin so it’s not as stressful for you.
You’ll need lots of Mexican-inspired decor to help make the party’s atmosphere more festive and fun.
But also up tables with electricity options and be sure to include small labels for each chili recipe so guests know what they are enjoying. Because it won’t be obvious what the recipe is otherwise.
Serving Chili for a Party
When hosting a chili cook-off party with a variety of recipes, it’s best to serve them in mugs, small bowls, or recyclable cups so guests can walk around and sample different dishes.
This also allows for guests to go back and get more of their favorite chili recipes as well.
Simply set up a chili station with spoons, bowls, and napkins, and you are good to go!
Set Up a Topping Table
Although we’re tasting chili at a cook-off party, it’s a good idea to offer an array of toppings so that when guests choose a chili they want to eat as their meal, they can top it off.
Some great topping options to offer include:
- Shredded Cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blends
- Sour cream
- Sliced Avocado
- Guacamole
- Pico de Gallo
- Salsas
- Scallions
- Onions
- Jalapeño peppers
- Cilantro
- Tortilla Chips
- Hot Sauce
- Lime Wedges
Label the Chili
Be sure to label each chili recipe so guests know what they are tasting.
I found these adorable mini chalkboard labels that are reusable for other events. I may even use them for Thanksgiving this year.
It’s also a great idea to ask guests to journal their recipes so you can put together a PDF file of the soup party recipes tasted.
Encourage people to sample the chili and vote for their favorite dish. Be sure to have a system in place for counting votes and announcing the winner.
Offer Additional Food and Drinks
Provide participants and attendees with additional food and drinks. Not everyone enjoys chili so it’s a good idea to offer other light bites to enjoy.
It’s also a good idea to offer an array of beverages. Here are some ideas to offer:
- Beer
- Wine
- Sangria. Fun varieties include these Peach and Watermelon Sangria Recipes.
- Lemonade. I love this refreshing strawberry lemonade that can be made with or without alcohol.
- Water
- Selter
- Wine Spritzers
- Margaritas
And that’s it!
Next up in our supper club is my good friend Michele from Vintage Home Designs.
More Chili Cook-Off Ideas for a Mexican Theme Party
Want to see more chili cook-off party ideas? Wait until you see how my friends are hosting their chili cook-off party and decorating their homes. Click on the blog name to head over to the post.
Other Ideas for a Mexican Theme Party
Would you host a chili cook-off for a Mexican Theme Party? Do you have any other festive ideas for a fun dinner party? I would love to know more in the comments below.
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Looking for More Supper Club Ideas?
Our supper club has been so much fun and we’ve covered so much over the last year.
Whether you are in a supper club or just want some dinner party theme inspiration, check out the themes we’ve hosted before.
And click here if you want to learn how to organize and host your own supper club. They are so fun to do and provide a great reason to gather regularly with family and friends.
- Galentine’s Day Brunch
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Spring Brunch
- Cinco De Mayo
- 4th of July
- Picnic Date
- Tailgating Party
- Thanksgiving Dinner Party
- Christmas Dinner Party
- New Year’s Eve
- Cozy Winter Dinner
- Afternoon Tea Party
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
