Saturday, October 22, 2022
Bring your appetite and join the fun as both professional and amateur chefs work their culinary magic and compete for the title of Best Chili!
Cook-Off Schedule
- 9am-10am: Chef’s prep (no heat)
- 10am-1pm: Chili cook time
- 10am: Tasting Kits go on sale
- 1pm: Public tasting begins
- 4pm: Winners announced at the Colonnade Stage (beachside of Neptune’s Kingdom)
Try Some Chili!
Boardwalk admission is free! Just purchase a Tasting Kit to sample chili from dozens of competitors. Tasting Kits are $12 each and include six (6) taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot.
Portion of Proceeds
A portion of the proceeds from Tasting Kit sales will benefit The Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller Memorial. On June 6, 2020, Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller was killed in the line of duty while serving Santa Cruz County. This Memorial at Willowbrook Park will ensure his sacrifice is never forgotten. MORE INFO
Enter a Team!
The competition features four categories:
- Amateur Red
- Amateur Vegetarian Red
- Professional Red
- Professional Vegetarian Red
Awards are given for Best Chili in each category, plus People’s Choice, Most Tasted, and Best Theme.
Awards include plaques, cash prizes, and bragging rights!
Registration Deadline: October 14, 2022
Team Registration Coming Soon!
Thank you to our Chili Cook-Off Sponsors
2021 Chili Cook-Off Results
Best Professional Red
- East Side Eatery Death Wish Chili
- Malone’s Grille
- Big Sur Smokehouse – Alila Ventana
Best Amateur Red
- DPD BBQ
- 4 Men and a Clam
- Hubbell Trouble Chili
Best Professional Vegetarian
- Bull Pitt Chili
- Ric’s Righteous Veg
Best Amateur Vegetarian
- Rugged Coast
- Bean There, Done That
People’s Choice Professional:
East Side Eatery Death Wish Chili
People’s Choice Amateur:
DPD BBQ
Most Tasted Professional:
Bull Pit Chili
Most Tasted Amateur:
Cracker’s Honky Tonk Chili
Best Theming
- Cracker’s Honky Tonk Chili
- Rock n Roll Chili Bowl
- Bull Pit Chili
