COMPETITION OVERVIEW
NOVEMBER 8-12, 2017
ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA
World Open Chili Championship, sponsored by 
As one of the most popular foods on the planet, chili comes in many forms, but which one is the best? Is it the Traditional Red? Your secret family recipe? Or a ‘Freestyle’ blend of whatever pleases your mouth? The world’s best chili cooks will spice up Orange Beach, AL at the World Open Chili Championship and find out who has the best chili on the planet.
Choosing from all three major sanctioning bodies, The World Food Championships will accept the champions of the world’s premier chili competitions to compete in Orange Beach.
What will start as a host of the absolute best championship chiliheads from across the planet, will end up with just one winner… the World Open Chili Champion.
WORLD OPEN CHILI CHAMPIONSHIP
$10,000 GRAND PRIZE
The World Open Chili Championship will be limited to the first 30 entrants who are fully qualified, registered and confirmed. Any qualified entrant who wants to compete after the field is full must seek a special exemption from the WFC competition committee.
2016 Competitor Packets
The following events are International Qualifiers for the 2017 World Open Chili Championship:
Canadian Food Championships - Edmonton, AB Canada - 7/21/17-7/23/17
Caribbean Food Championships - Coco Beach, Puerto Rico - 6/10/17
The following events are Preferred Qualifiers for the 2017 World Open Chili Championship:
Gulf Coast Chili Cookoff - Gulfport, MS - 3/4/17
Taste of America - 1st Place - Online - 6/1/17-7/5/17
The following events are Elite Qualifiers for the 2017 World Open Chili Championship:
Food Champ Online Recipe Contests - Online - Monthly
Wild Card Elite Division - Online - 4/5/17-10/1/17
The following competitions are automatic qualifiers for the 2017 World Open Chili Championship:
United States Events
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kenmore's Fully Loaded Idaho Potato Cook-Off-Recipe | US | |
| Culinary Fight Club | Various Locations, US | |
| Culinary Fight Club - Chili | Various Locations, US | |
| Blend The Rules | US | Jan 1, 2017 |
| Waitlisted World Open Chili Championship | US | Nov 8, 2017 |
| Dining Out with Comedienne Joy - Judge's Choice | US | Sep 13, 2017 |
| Fire on the Mountain BBQ Cook-Off (Chili competition) | Arab, AL, US | May 12, 2017 |
| 2016 World Open Chili Champion - Liz Kraatz | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 2nd Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 3rd Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 4th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 5th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 6th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 7th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 8th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 9th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - Tenth Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Recipe Championship - Top Ten - 9th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Recipe Championship - Top Ten - Tenth Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| Grillin In the Ozarks (Chicken Wing competition) | Rogers, AR, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| Rockin' Wings at the Ridge | Walnut Ridge, AR, US | Sep 15, 2017 |
| Rockin' Wings at the Ridge (People's Choice) | Walnut Ridge, AR, US | Sep 15, 2017 |
| Grilling in the Ozarks (Recipe competition) | Rogers, AR, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| Mad Butcher Pink Tomato Festival Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Warren, AR, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Riunite Ultimate Chili Challenge | Phoenix, AZ, US | Nov 19, 2016 |
| Arizona State Championship Chili Cookoff | Flagstaff, AZ, US | Jun 11, 2017 |
| Arizona State Open Chili Championship | Benson, AZ, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
| Route 66 Regional Chili Cookoff | Flagstaff, AZ, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Santa Anita Chili Cook off | Arcadia, CA, US | Feb 28, 2017 |
| The Great Petaluma Chili Cook-off | Petaluma, CA, US | May 6, 2017 |
| Gloria Ferrar's Glorious Bites - Grand Prize Winner | Sonoma, CA, US | Oct 15, 2016 |
| Spud Nation's Throwdown | San Francisco, CA, US | Jan 4, 2017 |
| Gilroy Great Garlic Cook-Off | Gilroy, CA, US | Jul 28, 2017 |
| The Great Petaluma Chili Cook-off - 2016 | Petaluma, CA, US | |
| 7th Annual Estes Park Winter Festival | Estes Park, CO, US | Jan 14, 2017 |
| Colorado Championship Chili Cookoff | Grand Lake, CO, US | Jun 24, 2017 |
| Riverwalk Chili Cook Off | Fort Lauderdale, FL, US | Jan 28, 2017 |
| 99.9 Kiss Country Chili Cookoff | Pembroke Pines, FL, US | Jan 29, 2017 |
| Flora-Bama "Super" Bowl Chili Cook-Off - 2016 | Perdido Key, FL, US | Feb 15, 2016 |
| The Old Florida Outdoor Festival (Chili division) | Apopka, FL, US | Feb 10, 2017 |
| Chili Cook-off & Beer Festival | Kissimmee, FL, US | Feb 18, 2017 |
| Northwestern Mutual Orlando Chili Cookoff | Orlando, FL, US | Feb 18, 2017 |
| Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash (Chili competition) | Venice, FL, US | Apr 14, 2017 |
| Roscoe's Chili Challenge | Lakeland, FL, US | Nov 3, 2017 |
| 2015 World Open Chili Champion - Wayne Shymko | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
| Jacksonville Magazine - Best Restaurants Bash | Jacksonville, FL, US | Jan 26, 2017 |
| Summer Splash Steak & Chicken Wing Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Jacksonville, FL, US | Aug 5, 2017 |
| Helpful Hands Sizzlin Summer Cooking Challenge (Recipe competition) | Oviedo, FL, US | Aug 26, 2017 |
| Oviedo Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Oviedo, FL, US | Aug 26, 2017 |
| Double T's Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Davenport, FL, US | Sep 8, 2017 |
| 2015 World Recipe Champion - Alethia Shih | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
| Sonny's Invitational BBQ Smokin Showdown and Steak Cookoff (Steak competition) | Sanford, FL, US | Jan 13, 2017 |
| REEF Palm Beach County Lionfish Derby (People's Choice) | Palm Beach, FL, US | Aug 13, 2017 |
| Flora-Bama "Super" Bowl Chili Cook-Off - 2017 | Perdido Key, FL, US | Feb 4, 2017 |
| WCC - Top Ten | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
| Made in Hawai`i Festival - Chefs Chili Challenge | Honolulu, HI, US | Aug 18, 2017 |
| Hand-In-Hand Chili Cook-Off - Judge's Choice | Davenport, IA, US | Jan 28, 2017 |
| Hand-In-Hand Chili Cook-Off - People's Choice | Davenport, IA, US | Jan 28, 2017 |
| Sunrise Grilling Season Opener | Bettendorf, IA, US | Mar 25, 2017 |
| Smoke on the Wapsi | McCausland, IA, US | Sep 3, 2017 |
| Depot Days | Donahue, IA, US | Sep 23, 2017 |
| Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest - (Red Chili) | Taylorville, IL, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest - (Verde Chili) | Taylorville, IL, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Winterfreeze Regional Chili Cookoff | Springfield, IL, US | Jan 15, 2017 |
| Chilly Willie Chili Challenge | Orland Park, IL, US | Jan 28, 2017 |
| Joe DeFrates Memorial Regional Cookoff | Springfield, IL, US | Feb 26, 2017 |
| Chicago's Best Wingfest | Chicago, IL, US | Mar 5, 2017 |
| Indy Blended Burger Battle | Indianapolis, IN, US | May 15, 2017 |
| Harper County Bullseye BBQ (Chili competition) | Harper, KS, US | Oct 14, 2016 |
| ICS: Kansas State - Wichita Wagonmasters | Wichita, KS, US | Sep 30, 2017 |
| Taste of Blanchard Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Shreveport, LA, US | Jan 13, 2017 |
| Boston Magazine - Best of Boston - Best Fried Chicken | Boston, MA, US | Jul 18, 2017 |
| Big Island BBQ (Chili competition) | Albert Lea, MN, US | Aug 25, 2017 |
| Minnesota State Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Albert Lea, MN, US | Aug 25, 2017 |
| The Best of the Northlands - (Chili competition) | Duluth, MN, US | Aug 4, 2017 |
| Sertoma Chili Cookoff | Springfield, MO, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| Taste of KC | Kansas City, MO, US | May 18, 2017 |
| Grilling by the Lake Steak Cookoff - Day 1 (Chicken Wing competition) | Climax Springs, MO, US | Aug 5, 2017 |
| Grilling by the Lake Steak Cookoff - Day 2 (Chicken Wing competition) | Climax Springs, MO, US | Aug 6, 2017 |
| Cashew Craze | Springfield, MO, US | May 21, 2017 |
| Downtown Washington Chili Cook-Off | Washington, MO, US | Sep 22, 2017 |
| Gulf Coast Chili Cookoff | Biloxi, MS, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
| Bikers Blues and BBQ Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Salsbury, NC, US | Sep 16, 2017 |
| Food Network Challenge: $100,000 Chicken Challenge (Episode: CC0201H) | Charlotte, NC, US | |
| ICS: Wild Willies Regional Chili Cookoff | Ralston, NE, US | Jun 3, 2017 |
| ICS: Nebraska State Chili Cookoff | Ralston, NE, US | Jun 4, 2017 |
| GOBS Grilling Championship Series 2 (Appetizer competition) | Omaha, NE, US | |
| Munch Madness Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Rahway, NJ, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
| World's Championship Chili Cookoff - (Red Chili) | Reno, NV, US | Oct 21, 2016 |
| World's Championship Chili Cookoff - (Verde Chili) | Reno, NV, US | Oct 21, 2016 |
| Laughlin Regional | Laughlin, NV, US | Jan 14, 2017 |
| Nevada State | Laughlin, NV, US | Jan 15, 2017 |
| 2012 World Open Chili Champion - Stephanie Brockman | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
| 2013 World Open Chili Champion - Ray Bogart | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
| 2014 World Open Chili Champion - Ray Bogart | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
| Brooklyn Chili Takedown | Brooklyn, NY, US | Nov 20, 2016 |
| NYC Chili Cookoff | Staten Island, NY, US | Apr 22, 2017 |
| Cincinnati CityBeat - Best Chicken | Cincinnati, OH, US | Feb 1, 2017 |
| Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - Individual Division) | Mansfield, OH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - People's Choice) | Mansfield, OH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - Restaurant Division) | Mansfield, OH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Tripp Haggard Memorial Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Broken Arrow, OK, US | Jul 15, 2017 |
| Third Annual National Sausage Month Recipe Contest | ONLINE, US | Oct 20, 2016 |
| Mills Fleet Farm and Roundy's BBQ Chicken Recipe Contest (USA Today - Wisconsin) | ONLINE, US | May 20, 2016 |
| Sandra's Chicken Recipe Contest | ONLINE, US | Nov 15, 2016 |
| Wine Pairings Instagram Contest | ONLINE, US | Jan 31, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 1st Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 2nd Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 3rd Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Taste of Home Modern Comfort Food Recipe Contest (#187) | ONLINE, US | Jul 10, 2017 |
| Royalty Pecans Recipe Contest - Special Ingredient Challenge | ONLINE, US | |
| Keystone – Beef Up Family Time Recipe Contest (using Keystone All Natural Chicken) | ONLINE, US | May 31, 2017 |
| Taste of Home Chicken & Chops Recipe Contest (#186) | ONLINE, US | May 25, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 4th Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 5th Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Hormel Online Contest | ONLINE, US | |
| TOA - Michigan Apples | ONLINE, US | Jul 24, 2017 |
| TOA - Fiesta Seasonings | ONLINE, US | Jul 24, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - Chef Gerren Allen | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Battle of the Bones - People's Choice (Chili competition) | Central Point, OR, US | Sep 15, 2017 |
| Ernie's Best Wings Chicken Wing Cook-Off | Erie, PA, US | Jan 28, 2017 |
| Annual Chili Cook-Off at the Newport Winter Festival | Newport, RI, US | Feb 18, 2017 |
| The Original SD BBQ Championships (Chili Challenge) | Huron, SD, US | Jun 2, 2017 |
| Special Invitation - Tony Balay | SD, US | |
| Hot Chicken Week | Nashville, TN, US | Jan 23, 2017 |
| BKW: Big Kahuna Wing Festival - Big Kahuna Champion and Tennessee State Champion | Knoxville, TN, US | Jun 17, 2017 |
| BKW: Big Kahuna Wing Festival - Exotic Flavor Champion | Knoxville, TN, US | Jun 17, 2017 |
| Nashville Chili Festival | Nashville, TN, US | Mar 26, 2017 |
| International Biscuit Festival | Knoxville, TN, US | May 20, 2017 |
| FiveStar Food Fight | Chattanooga, TN, US | Jul 30, 2017 |
| Wild Card Elite Division | TN, US | Apr 5, 2017 |
| Best of the South | cookeville, tn, US | Sep 1, 2017 |
| The F Word on FOX - Episode 5 - Casey Jones | TV, US | |
| Food Network: Guy's Grocery Games - Jordan Wakefield | TV, US | |
| Tolbert Ladies State Chili Championship of Texas | Blanco, TX, US | |
| Flats Chili Cookoff / Real Texas Chili Cookoff | Port Aransas, TX, US | Dec 17, 2016 |
| Tri State Open Chili Championship | Amarillo, TX, US | Jan 14, 2017 |
| Yaga's Chili Quest & Beer Fest | Galveston Island, TX, US | Jan 20, 2017 |
| BBQ & Chili Cookoff - Houston Metro Go Texan Cy-Fair (Chili competition) | Houston, TX, US | Jan 21, 2017 |
| CASI US Open | Terlingua, TX, US | Jan 27, 2017 |
| Fruitvale Chili/Steak Competition | Fruitvale, TX, US | Jan 28, 2017 |
| Texas Open Chili Cookoff | San Antonio, TX, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| Tolbert Texas Men's State Chili Championship | Maxdale, TX, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
| Roughneck Chili & BBQ Cookoff (Chili competition) | Luling, TX, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
| CASI Ladies State Chili Cookoff | Seguin, TX, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| Houston POD CASI Chili Cook-off | Houston, TX, US | Apr 22, 2017 |
| Texas Music Festival Chili Cook-off - Larry Joe Taylor Annual | Stephenville, TX, US | Apr 24, 2017 |
| Frank X. Tolbert - Wick Fowler International Original Terlingua Championship Chili Cook-off | Terlingua, TX, US | Nov 4, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #1 (Chicken Wing competition) | Bastrop, TX, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
| Live Oak County Fair Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Georgewest, TX, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
| NBBQA Classic Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Fort Worth, TX, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
| John Henry's Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Houston, TX, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #2 (Chicken Wing competition) | Neiderwald, TX, US | Apr 15, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #3 (Chicken Wing competition) | Pflugerville, TX, US | May 13, 2017 |
| Premier Gilling Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Little Elm, TX, US | May 20, 2017 |
| Proud of Texas POD Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Waco, TX, US | Jun 24, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #4 (Chicken Wing competition) | Georgetown, TX, US | Jul 8, 2017 |
| Out West Bar & Grill Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | West, TX, US | Aug 19, 2017 |
| Bedford Blues and BBQ Festival Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Bedford, TX, US | Sep 2, 2017 |
| Azle Sting Fling Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Azle, TX, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| The Sky's the Limit Balloon Spectacular (Chicken Wing competition) | Gainesville, TX, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Smokin Possum Hollow Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Graham, TX, US | Sep 16, 2017 |
| Live Oak County Fair Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | George West, TX, US | Mar 4, 2016 |
| Azle Spring Fling Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Azle, TX, US | |
| Pantegofest Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Arlington, TX, US | |
| Houston Steak Championship (Chicken Wing competition) | Houston, TX, US | |
| Winter Wonderland Steak (Appetizer competition) | Graham, TX, US | |
| LOC Rodeo Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | George West, TX, US | |
| John Henry's Steak Cookoff (1-Bite Challenge) | Houston, TX, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| SCA: RAHR-B-Que Steak Cook-Off (Appetizer competition) | Fort Worth, TX, US | May 7, 2017 |
| Whitney Wildcat Athletic Booster Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Lake Whitney, TX, US | |
| Tri State Open Chili Championship - 2016 | Amarillo, TX, US | |
| Texas Open Chili Cookoff - 2016 | San Antonio, TX, US | |
| City Weekly's Best of Utah - Best Chicken Sandwich | Salt Lake City, UT, US | Nov 17, 2016 |
| Green Mountain BBQ Championship (Bacon competition) | Randolph, VT, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Green Mountain BBQ Championship (Recipe competition) | Randolph, VT, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Green Mountain BBQ Championship (Dessert competition) | Randolph, VT, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Green Mountain BBQ Championship (Sandwich competition) | Randolph, VT, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Chuckanut Chili Cook-Off at the Annual Dirty Dan Harris Festival | Bellingham, WA, US | Apr 23, 2017 |
| National Lentil Festival - Legendary Lentil Cook-Off | Pullman, WA, US | Aug 18, 2017 |
| Tolbert: Washington State Chili Cookoff - Overall Winner | Ocean Shores, WA, US | Sep 25, 2016 |
| Tolbert: Washington State Chili Cookoff - Judge's Choice | Ocean Shores, WA, US | Sep 25, 2016 |
| Milwaukee Wingfest (Judge's Choice) | Milwaukee, WI, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Milwaukee Wingfest (Most Unique) | Milwaukee, WI, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Milwaukee Wingfest (People's Choice) | Milwaukee, WI, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Chugwater Chili Cookoff / Wyoming State Championship | Chugwater, WY, US | Jun 17, 2017 |
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Food Championships - Chili - 2nd Place and 3rd Place | Edmonton, AB, CA | Aug 12, 2017 |
| Taste of the World - France | FR | Jun 1, 2017 |
| Taste of the World - Haiti | HT | Jun 1, 2017 |
| Taste of the World - Philippines | HT | Jun 1, 2017 |
| Restaurant Manager of the Year - Gourmet Abu Dhabi | Bangalore, IN | |
| Special Invitation - International - Shiva Kumar | Bangalore, IN | |
| Special Invitation - International - Gnana Kiruba Karan | Tamlnadu, IN | |
| Special Invitation - International - Chitrarasu Naidu | Tamlnadu, IN | |
| The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Recipe competition) - Amateur division | ONLINE, NG | Jul 1, 2017 |
| The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Recipe competition) - Professional division | ONLINE, NG | Jul 1, 2017 |
| Special Invitation - Philippine Council of Hospitality Management Students | Manila, PH | |
| Tagisan ng Talino Chef Express - Champion, STI College Alabang | PH | |
| Q-Fest (Chili competition) - United Kingdom | Devon, GB | Apr 28, 2017 |
| United Q - United Kingdom | Exeter, GB | Apr 29, 2017 |
| The 7th Reading Chilli Cookoff at the Reading Festival - United Kingdom | Reading, GB | Jun 17, 2017 |
| Bath & Bristol Chili Cookoff - United Kingdom | Bath / Bristol, GB | Jul 15, 2017 |
| Gower Chili Cookoff - United Kingdom | Gower, GB | Jul 22, 2017 |
| Dorset Chili Cookoff - United Kingdom | Dorset, GB | Aug 5, 2017 |
| The Maldon Smoke and Fire Chilli Cook-Off - United Kingdom | Maldon Essex, GB | Aug 19, 2017 |
| The Big Meat - United Kingdom | Farnham, GB | Aug 26, 2017 |
| Nantwich Chili Cookoff - United Kingdom | Nantwich, GB | Sep 2, 2017 |
| UK Chili Cookoff at the Upton Cheyney Chilli Festival (Grand Champion) - United Kingdom | Upton Cheyney, GB | Sep 10, 2017 |
| London Chili Cookoff – United Kingdom | London, GB | May 14, 2017 |
| UKCCA Grand Final - United Kingdom | Fleet, GB | Sep 23, 2017 |