The traditional backyard barbecue is sooo June. This month, say goodbye to summer with a neighborhood/church/friend/co-worker-wide chili cookoff.

Best of Show
At "sanctioned" chili cookoffs, recipes are ranked based on color, aroma, consistency, taste and aftertaste. But then again, their rigid rules prohibit the use of beans, too. Buck tradition and set your own criteria. Some "winning" categories can include:
• The Grand Champion
• Best Burn
• Best Vegetarian
• Most Likely to Require Use of Antacids

And don't forget the prizes. At the very least, the "big" winner should walk away with an embroidered apron. Runners up can receive the serious (like a chili cookbook) or comical prize (like an economy tub of Tums).

Serve it Up like a Pro
Just because you might not have received approval from the National Chili Cookoff Association doesn't mean that you shouldn't show off you're A-1 hosting skills. Great chili cookoffs always include the following:

Ample supply of freshly-grated cheddar cheese and chopped onions for topping

Substantial amounts of Dr. Pepper, said to be the non-alcoholic beverage of choice when consuming massive amounts of chili

Beer (domestic or Mexican only) and margaritas (for the Northerner set; get your margarita machines from The Big Chill 209-1810)

Rigid foam bowls (recycle those beer bottles to make up for the insult to Mother Earth) with their interiors rubbed with fresh garlic and dusted with cumin (it might be necessary to rinse the bowls with beef or chicken broth to remove any remaining garlic chunks)

Set the Bean Scene
Californians aren't as familiar with the cookoff concept as folks from the Lone Star State. You'll need to set the scene in your invite or with an informal phone call. According to Myra Harbour, owner of Celebrate - Planning for an Event to Remember (259-8611), including pre-party prep with a mailed invitation will get guests in the mood to play along. Ideas include:

Chili Nameplates (where guests can scrawl "Mean Marsha's Bowl o' Beans" or "Bites of Dynamite," so as not to confuse their concoctions with others)

Mock-up recipe card with a list of "how to" chili websites (to get the proverbial juices flowing)

Unconventional invitations, mailed in something other than a traditional envelope, can include potential ingredients, like miniature bottles of Tabasco sauce.