Food competitions don’t get much better than chili cook-offs. Full of old-time country music, great food, and loads of fun, these contests bring people together over a bowl of spicy chili con carne cooked to perfection by the world’s best chefs. Just as the thrill of competition brings out the best in amateur and professional chefs alike, it also introduces guests to new flavors and new ways of making classic dishes. Walking about the fairgrounds of a chili cook-off, many a visitor has gotten better acquainted with their favorite meal as they mingle with like-minded globetrotters who share a similar passion for food.
This National Chili Day, spice up your winter by planning a trip to some of these top-tier chili competitions!
World Championship Chili Cook-Off — Various Locations
For the past five decades, chefs from across the country have competed in the World Championship Chili Cook-Off, the final round of chili tournaments hosted by the International Chili Society. Held at a different location each fall, the World Championship Chili Cook-Off represents the pinnacle of chili competitions in the United States and is regarded as the most prestigious chili cook-off in the world.
Upon entering the cook-off’s hallowed grounds, chili lovers will immediately notice the kaleidoscope of flavors and aromas. Chefs compete in a variety of different categories, including traditional red chili, homestyle chili, chili verde, and salsa. The event even has a youth division for aspiring chefs as young as 6 years old! The World Championship Chili Cook-Off welcomes visitors with a carnival-like atmosphere, live music, and the chance to enjoy other tasty dishes, including premium barbecue.
Terlingua International Chili Championship — Terlingua, Texas
An important proving ground for any aspiring chili champion, the Terlingua International Chili Championship is the Lone Star State’s preeminent chili cook-off, welcoming visitors with great atmosphere, amazing live music, and, of course, all the chili you can eat! Held over the course of four days each November, this event draws some of the best chili chefs from across the world. The Terlingua Championship prides itself on requiring its competitors to cook authentic Texas-style chili, which is made without beans.
While traditional Texas-style red chili is the star of the competition, visitors to Terlingua can also look forward to trying a variety of other tasty dishes, including chili verde, brisket, ribs, and much more. The Terlingua Championship reaches a crescendo in the Saturday Chili Championship, the final day of the cook-off and the moment when the best cooks go head-to-head for the tournament’s top prize.
Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival — San Diego
San Diego’s Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival is one of the Golden State’s best food events. Started in 1984 by devoted chili-heads looking to compete and share their love of great food, the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival is the highlight of many a foodie’s summer vacation. Held each June, the competition allows cooks to vie in several categories, including the popular “hottest chili” group.
People’s choice awards are also given to the best competitors in the amateur division and restaurant division. Since tasting bowls are as low as $2 per booth, every attendee has the chance to vote for their favorite chef. Along with great chili, the festival is also home to a large street fair complete with live music, local art, and countless shopping vendors. Meanwhile, visitors with kids can enjoy a stop at the Family Fun Zone, an entire park of inflatable rides and craft-making demonstrations.
Atlanta Chili Cook Off — Dunwoody, Georgia
Foodies hankering for a great bowl of chili served alongside traditional Southern hospitality should head to the Atlanta Chili Cook Off in Dunwoody, Georgia, the Peach State’s finest chili festival. Held each November, this event welcomes over 60 chefs who compete in the amateur and professional categories.
Much of the love surrounding the Atlanta Chili Cook Off comes from the awesome and creative recipes chefs develop for the festival. In years past, lovers of homespun fall flavors have delighted in the cook off’s pumpkin chili, a major hit among chili-heads. The competition also awards a special prize for the chefs who come decked out in the best costumes. Lovers of good beer will also find much to enjoy at the festival. Past competitions have attracted local pubs and breweries, who offer original craft recipes at their booths.
Sertoma Chili Cookoff — Springfield, Missouri
Visitors to the Show-Me State will not want to miss the Sertoma Chili Cookoff, one of Missouri’s biggest parties. Held each February, the Sertoma Chili Cookoff is a major fund raiser for the area’s Boys and Girls Clubs, priding itself on raising over $2 million for the charity throughout the years. To residents of the area, the cookoff is equally important as a cultural event to celebrate the end of winter, and guests of the competition often arrive in costume.
With over 120 booths, visitors have a wide selection of tasty chilis to tantalize their taste buds. In years past, vendors have delighted foodies with turkey chili, chili con carne, and white chili. The chili lover who is also a card shark will also not want to miss the poker tournament held the night before the cookoff. Like the chili competition, the poker tournament also benefits local charities.
Chilifest — Snook, Texas
Snook’s Chilifest combines chili with equal parts pulse-pounding country music. Held for two days each April, Chilifest regularly attracts upwards of 35,000 visitors, making it one of the largest chili competitions in the United States. As you might expect from a chili competition based in the Lone Star State, Chilifest requires competitors to solely cook Texas-style chili. While this regulation might appear to limit the flavors patrons can enjoy, vendors more than make up for it by presenting visitors with a variety of exotic ingredients and differing levels of spiciness.
Since Chilifest is equally famous as a music festival as it is a chili competition, those traveling to Texas can look forward to seeing several world-class musicians. In years past, country music legends Lynyrd Skynyrd and Chris Young have headlined the event.
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Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cookoff — Tustin, California
Foodies hoping to enjoy chili with a California twist will adore California’s Tustin Street Fair and Chili Cookoff, the largest single-day chili cookoff in the country. Vendors compete in 7 distinct categories, including standard International Chili Society rules for red chili and homestyle chili. Some of the more popular chilis from past competitions include the Thai-inspired Chaiyo Chili, which is served with basil leaves and jalapeno peppers, and the award-winning Roadkill Chili, a healthier chili made with chicken and turkey.
Along with great-tasting chili, visitors can look forward to enjoying a variety of entertaining music acts and contests on the festival’s two stages. Chili lovers with kids will also enjoy the festival’s Family Fun Zone, a mini-amusement park replete with inflatable rides and bouncy castles.
FAQs:
Q: Are tickets required for these chili cook-off events?
A: Yes, most events require tickets for entry, with prices varying based on the event and any additional activities.
Q: Can visitors sample chili at these cook-offs?
A: Absolutely! Visitors typically have the opportunity to sample various chili recipes for a small fee at most cook-offs.
Q: Are these events family-friendly?
A: Yes, many of these chili cook-offs offer family-friendly activities, including live music, entertainment, and children’s zones.
Q: Can I participate as a chef in these competitions?
A: Yes, most events allow both amateur and professional chefs to enter their chili recipes into the competition for a chance to win prizes.
Q: What other types of food are available besides chili?
A: Alongside chili, visitors can enjoy a variety of other dishes such as barbecue, brisket, ribs, and even vegetarian options at some events.
Q: Are these events accessible for people with dietary restrictions?
A: While chili cook-offs focus primarily on chili, many also offer alternative options to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian or gluten-free chili.
Q: Are there any age restrictions for attending these events?
A: Most chili cook-offs welcome attendees of all ages, with special activities often available for children and families to enjoy together.
Have you taken part in any other chili competition we forgot to mention? Let us know in our comments section below!
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