Monona Chili Cook Off

media release: There’s something special about chili that inspires top secret ingredients, wild experimentation, and family traditions passed down many generations.  That slow cooked, spice infused, hearty goodness warms your body and soul – it’s truly the ultimate comfort food.

Head to Ahuska Park on Saturday, September 28th from 11-2p for Monona’s 41st Chili Cook-Off – the longest running in Wisconsin.

Get your wristband for unlimited chili sampling. Choose your samples wisely – we’ll have up to 40 cook teams (that’s 40 – 1 oz samples of chili!) you’ll have available to choose from.  Expect flavors all over the board.  In previous years we’ve had traditional to extreme heat, green chili to creamy white, smoky to sweet and tropical.

Many of our chili tasting pros choose to bring muffin tins to help them hold many chili samples at a time, and help keep track of which team was the cook.  Teams will receive awards based on voting from both the crowd, and our panel of judges.

Enjoy live music from Monona’s own Progressive Lane All Stars, and a cookbook popup sale from Friends of Monona Library.  We’ll be announcing more activities, our beverage tent menu, and concessions menu soon!

General admission is $15.  This wristband gives you access to unlimited chili sampling, live music, fun activities, the beverage tent and concessions, and seating at picnic tables. General Admission Tickets - $15

Or, splurge on access to the Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial VIP luxury tent for $50. VIP admission includes all the features of general admission, plus access to the temperature-controlled lounge with comfy seating, waitstaff, hors d’oeuvres, specialty drinks in addition to wine and beer, and gift bags.  VIP Luxury Tent Tickets - $50

The chili cooks begin setting up and cooking before sunrise, using gas powered stoves.  Ingredients should be prepped, but all cooking must happen on site. Many will serve themed chili in a decorated tent in full costumes to match the theme of their chili. Clearly there’s a lot of love that goes into this day!

Grab your friends, family, or coworkers and register to compete in the 41st Chili Cook-Off. Registration per team is $200 and includes a $100 gift card to two local favorites—Fraboni’s Italian Specialties & Delicatessen or Ken’s Meats and Deli. Many teams opt to be sponsored by a local business, display the business banner in their cooking tent, and have their registration fees covered.

Prizes will be awarded for:

Best Chili (voted by our judges) – First $250, Second $150, and Third $100

Best Chili – Crowd Favorite – $100

Best Team Theme – for costumes, tent decor, and name of chili – $100

Most Unique Chili – $100

Cook Team Registration - $200