Cook-off returns to Flagstaff

  • 2023-07-26
The Flagstaff Chili Society will be sponsoring its annual Route 66 Regional Chili cook-off competition coming in early August.

Categories for the contest are Traditional Red, Chili Verde, and salsa.

Contestants will provide two gallons of chili for the People’s Choice award. Attendees may purchase chili tasting tickets for $10, enjoy chili from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm, and vote for their favorite.

Entry fee for the Traditional Red category is $35 and prizes of $1,000 will be awarded for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third. The Chili Verde entry fee is $25, and the first-place prize will be $500, second place $300, and third place $100. The Salsa category entry fee is $15 with first prize award being $99, second place $66, and third place $33.

Chief judge for the event will be Gary Nelson and head scorekeeper will be Joe Galli. Along with the chili tasting, the venue will have a strolling musician and a food truck selling other summer goodies. Water and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

Many local businesses often have their logo design printed on food vendors’ paper goods. Proceeds from the competition will benefit the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Flagstaff.

The Route 66 Regional Chili Cookoff will take place Saturday, August 5 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Thorpe Park, 191 N Thorpe Road.