Monona’s 42nd

Chili Cook-Off

What is it about chili?

 

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 27th for Monona’s 42nd Chili Cook-Off – the longest running in Wisconsin – to see why Destination Madison includes us in “FALL FLAVORS THAT DEMAND A TRIP TO MADISON“.

cook team registration now open!

Sign your team up now to compete in our 2025 Monona Chili Cook Off!  Registration form just confirms your chili plan – payment will be requested after registration.  Cook team fees are $100 – employers and businesses often enjoy sponsoring cook teams (covering your fee) and having their banner in your tent.
Register

Become a  sponsor!

 

The Monona Chili Cook-Off is made possible by the generous donations from our business sponsors.  Join in the fun, show your commitment to our community, and let us give you a warm thanks in our online and printed promotions. 

Chili Team Entry/Sponsorship

$100 per team – up to 40 available.  Cook teams make this event possible!  Lighten their load by covering their entry fee – your business banner will be displayed in their tent – feel free to send them with swag or marketing materials to distribute.

Concessions Stand Sponsor 

$500 – 4 available.   Let’s keep our guests well fed with hot grill items, mac and cheese for the refined palates, and chili themed dishes like chili dogs and walking chili.

Entertainment Sponsor

$750 (4 available)  Bring in the bands!  Live, festive music is at the heart of this event.

Beverage Tent Sponsor

$1000 (3 available)  Beer & chili – a match made in heaven.  Let the refreshments flow!  Or opt to above and beyond and have your staff come serve, too.

VIP Tent Sponsor

$2000 (1 available)  Bring the luxury experience with a shady escape with comfy seating, complementary finger foods, and immediate access to the staff in the adjoining beer tent.

The Chili

 

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.

The Cooks

 

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!

The Events

 

Enjoy live music – we’ll be announcing more activities, our beverage tent menu, and concessions menu soon!

What To Bring

 

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.

Come to Cook, or Come to Taste

 

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

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.
Want free admission?  Volunteer!  Many hands make this event possible, and we are so grateful to have you.
Questions?  Reach us at [email protected].

 

Schedule of Events

 

Enjoy live music throughout the day.  More details to come!

What To Expect

 

In addition to unlimited chili samples, there will be lots of other tasty food and beverages.  Grab tickets at $1 a piece for the concessions and beverage tent.  Menu to come!

Share your memories

 

With 41 years of chili events, we’ve heard some really special memories and seen some great photos.

Share yours with us – we’ll demonstrate the history and traditions for those new to the event – [email protected].

the 2024 winners are…

A huge thank you to all the amazing cooks, volunteers, and chili enthusiasts who came out for Monona’s 41st Annual Chili Cook-Off! We were thrilled to host over 500 guests who savored incredible flavors and voted for their favorite chili.

As voted by our panel of judges:

First Place: Chili Bich, Sal’s Tomato Pies
Second Place: Red Eye Chili, sponsored by Modern Woodmen
Third Place: Frijoles en Fuego, sponsored by Discover Monona

As voted by the crowd:

Most Unique: OCB Aloha Chili, One Community Bank
Crowd Favorite: Frijoles en Fuego, sponsored by Discover Monona
Best Team Theme: Old Grease, Shackelford Heating & Cooling
Congratulations to all our winners and participants! Your hard work and mouth-watering creations made this event unforgettable.

From The River Food Pantry:

 

Monona East Side Business Alliance donated to The River over 250 pounds of prepared food and beverages left over from their Chili Cook-Off! Thank you, MESBA, for helping to nourish our community and minimize waste.