SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

You need to stay up on your World Food Championships updates.
Sign up and you'll receive all the info you need.
We promise to not clog up your inbox.

CONNECT WITH THE WORLD FOOD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Call us at (931) 528-8852

Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest Instagram Email


  • General Question
  • Website Question
  • Media Inquiry
  • Competitor Question
  • Sponsorship


Email Address
Password


COMPETITION OVERVIEW
NOVEMBER 8-12, 2017
ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA

World Open Chili Championship, sponsored by Hormel Chili Logo -- hormel-chili-logo.jpg

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

Schedule and Rules

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-RecipeUS
Culinary Fight ClubVarious Locations, US
Culinary Fight Club - ChiliVarious Locations, US
Blend The RulesUSJan 1, 2017
Waitlisted World Open Chili ChampionshipUSNov 8, 2017
Dining Out with Comedienne Joy - Judge's ChoiceUSSep 13, 2017
Fire on the Mountain BBQ Cook-Off (Chili competition)Arab, AL, USMay 12, 2017
2016 World Open Chili Champion - Liz KraatzOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 2nd PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 3rd PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 4th PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 5th PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 6th PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 7th PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 8th PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - 9th PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Open Chili Championship - Top Ten - Tenth PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Recipe Championship - Top Ten - 9th PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
2016 World Recipe Championship - Top Ten - Tenth PlaceOrange Beach, AL, US
Grillin In the Ozarks (Chicken Wing competition)Rogers, AR, USFeb 25, 2017
Rockin' Wings at the RidgeWalnut Ridge, AR, USSep 15, 2017
Rockin' Wings at the Ridge (People's Choice)Walnut Ridge, AR, USSep 15, 2017
Grilling in the Ozarks (Recipe competition)Rogers, AR, USFeb 25, 2017
Mad Butcher Pink Tomato Festival Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition)Warren, AR, USJun 10, 2017
Riunite Ultimate Chili ChallengePhoenix, AZ, USNov 19, 2016
Arizona State Championship Chili CookoffFlagstaff, AZ, USJun 11, 2017
Arizona State Open Chili ChampionshipBenson, AZ, USApr 1, 2017
Route 66 Regional Chili CookoffFlagstaff, AZ, USJun 10, 2017
Santa Anita Chili Cook offArcadia, CA, USFeb 28, 2017
The Great Petaluma Chili Cook-offPetaluma, CA, USMay 6, 2017
Gloria Ferrar's Glorious Bites - Grand Prize WinnerSonoma, CA, USOct 15, 2016
Spud Nation's ThrowdownSan Francisco, CA, USJan 4, 2017
Gilroy Great Garlic Cook-OffGilroy, CA, USJul 28, 2017
The Great Petaluma Chili Cook-off - 2016Petaluma, CA, US
7th Annual Estes Park Winter FestivalEstes Park, CO, USJan 14, 2017
Colorado Championship Chili CookoffGrand Lake, CO, USJun 24, 2017
Riverwalk Chili Cook OffFort Lauderdale, FL, USJan 28, 2017
99.9 Kiss Country Chili CookoffPembroke Pines, FL, USJan 29, 2017
Flora-Bama "Super" Bowl Chili Cook-Off - 2016Perdido Key, FL, USFeb 15, 2016
The Old Florida Outdoor Festival (Chili division)Apopka, FL, USFeb 10, 2017
Chili Cook-off & Beer FestivalKissimmee, FL, USFeb 18, 2017
Northwestern Mutual Orlando Chili CookoffOrlando, FL, USFeb 18, 2017
Suncoast BBQ & Bluegrass Bash (Chili competition)Venice, FL, USApr 14, 2017
Roscoe's Chili ChallengeLakeland, FL, USNov 3, 2017
2015 World Open Chili Champion - Wayne ShymkoKissimmee, FL, US
Jacksonville Magazine - Best Restaurants BashJacksonville, FL, USJan 26, 2017
Summer Splash Steak & Chicken Wing Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Jacksonville, FL, USAug 5, 2017
Helpful Hands Sizzlin Summer Cooking Challenge (Recipe competition)Oviedo, FL, USAug 26, 2017
Oviedo Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Oviedo, FL, USAug 26, 2017
Double T's Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Davenport, FL, USSep 8, 2017
2015 World Recipe Champion - Alethia ShihKissimmee, FL, US
Sonny's Invitational BBQ Smokin Showdown and Steak Cookoff (Steak competition)Sanford, FL, USJan 13, 2017
REEF Palm Beach County Lionfish Derby (People's Choice)Palm Beach, FL, USAug 13, 2017
Flora-Bama "Super" Bowl Chili Cook-Off - 2017Perdido Key, FL, USFeb 4, 2017
WCC - Top TenKissimmee, FL, US
Made in Hawai`i Festival - Chefs Chili ChallengeHonolulu, HI, USAug 18, 2017
Hand-In-Hand Chili Cook-Off - Judge's ChoiceDavenport, IA, USJan 28, 2017
Hand-In-Hand Chili Cook-Off - People's ChoiceDavenport, IA, USJan 28, 2017
Sunrise Grilling Season OpenerBettendorf, IA, USMar 25, 2017
Smoke on the WapsiMcCausland, IA, USSep 3, 2017
Depot DaysDonahue, IA, USSep 23, 2017
Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest - (Red Chili)Taylorville, IL, USOct 2, 2016
Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest - (Verde Chili)Taylorville, IL, USOct 2, 2016
Winterfreeze Regional Chili CookoffSpringfield, IL, USJan 15, 2017
Chilly Willie Chili ChallengeOrland Park, IL, USJan 28, 2017
Joe DeFrates Memorial Regional CookoffSpringfield, IL, USFeb 26, 2017
Chicago's Best WingfestChicago, IL, USMar 5, 2017
Indy Blended Burger BattleIndianapolis, IN, USMay 15, 2017
Harper County Bullseye BBQ (Chili competition)Harper, KS, USOct 14, 2016
ICS: Kansas State - Wichita WagonmastersWichita, KS, USSep 30, 2017
Taste of Blanchard Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Shreveport, LA, USJan 13, 2017
Boston Magazine - Best of Boston - Best Fried ChickenBoston, MA, USJul 18, 2017
Big Island BBQ (Chili competition)Albert Lea, MN, USAug 25, 2017
Minnesota State Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Albert Lea, MN, USAug 25, 2017
The Best of the Northlands - (Chili competition)Duluth, MN, USAug 4, 2017
Sertoma Chili CookoffSpringfield, MO, USFeb 25, 2017
Taste of KCKansas City, MO, USMay 18, 2017
Grilling by the Lake Steak Cookoff - Day 1 (Chicken Wing competition)Climax Springs, MO, USAug 5, 2017
Grilling by the Lake Steak Cookoff - Day 2 (Chicken Wing competition)Climax Springs, MO, USAug 6, 2017
Cashew CrazeSpringfield, MO, USMay 21, 2017
Downtown Washington Chili Cook-OffWashington, MO, USSep 22, 2017
Gulf Coast Chili CookoffBiloxi, MS, USMar 4, 2017
Bikers Blues and BBQ Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Salsbury, NC, USSep 16, 2017
Food Network Challenge: $100,000 Chicken Challenge (Episode: CC0201H)Charlotte, NC, US
ICS: Wild Willies Regional Chili CookoffRalston, NE, USJun 3, 2017
ICS: Nebraska State Chili CookoffRalston, NE, USJun 4, 2017
GOBS Grilling Championship Series 2 (Appetizer competition)Omaha, NE, US
Munch Madness Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Rahway, NJ, USApr 1, 2017
World's Championship Chili Cookoff - (Red Chili)Reno, NV, USOct 21, 2016
World's Championship Chili Cookoff - (Verde Chili)Reno, NV, USOct 21, 2016
Laughlin RegionalLaughlin, NV, USJan 14, 2017
Nevada StateLaughlin, NV, USJan 15, 2017
2012 World Open Chili Champion - Stephanie BrockmanLas Vegas, NV, US
2013 World Open Chili Champion - Ray BogartLas Vegas, NV, US
2014 World Open Chili Champion - Ray BogartLas Vegas, NV, US
Brooklyn Chili TakedownBrooklyn, NY, USNov 20, 2016
NYC Chili CookoffStaten Island, NY, USApr 22, 2017
Cincinnati CityBeat - Best ChickenCincinnati, OH, USFeb 1, 2017
Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - Individual Division)Mansfield, OH, USJun 10, 2017
Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - People's Choice)Mansfield, OH, USJun 10, 2017
Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - Restaurant Division)Mansfield, OH, USJun 10, 2017
Tripp Haggard Memorial Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Broken Arrow, OK, USJul 15, 2017
Third Annual National Sausage Month Recipe ContestONLINE, USOct 20, 2016
Mills Fleet Farm and Roundy's BBQ Chicken Recipe Contest (USA Today - Wisconsin)ONLINE, USMay 20, 2016
Sandra's Chicken Recipe ContestONLINE, USNov 15, 2016
Wine Pairings Instagram ContestONLINE, USJan 31, 2017
#Taste of America - 1st PlaceONLINE, USJul 21, 2017
#Taste of America - 2nd PlaceONLINE, USJul 21, 2017
#Taste of America - 3rd PlaceONLINE, USJul 21, 2017
Taste of Home Modern Comfort Food Recipe Contest (#187)ONLINE, USJul 10, 2017
Royalty Pecans Recipe Contest - Special Ingredient ChallengeONLINE, US
Keystone – Beef Up Family Time Recipe Contest (using Keystone All Natural Chicken)ONLINE, USMay 31, 2017
Taste of Home Chicken & Chops Recipe Contest (#186)ONLINE, USMay 25, 2017
#Taste of America - 4th PlaceONLINE, USJul 21, 2017
#Taste of America - 5th PlaceONLINE, USJul 21, 2017
Hormel Online ContestONLINE, US
TOA - Michigan ApplesONLINE, USJul 24, 2017
TOA - Fiesta SeasoningsONLINE, USJul 24, 2017
#Taste of America - Chef Gerren AllenONLINE, USJul 21, 2017
Battle of the Bones - People's Choice (Chili competition)Central Point, OR, USSep 15, 2017
Ernie's Best Wings Chicken Wing Cook-OffErie, PA, USJan 28, 2017
Annual Chili Cook-Off at the Newport Winter FestivalNewport, RI, USFeb 18, 2017
The Original SD BBQ Championships (Chili Challenge)Huron, SD, USJun 2, 2017
Special Invitation - Tony BalaySD, US
Hot Chicken WeekNashville, TN, USJan 23, 2017
BKW: Big Kahuna Wing Festival - Big Kahuna Champion and Tennessee State ChampionKnoxville, TN, USJun 17, 2017
BKW: Big Kahuna Wing Festival - Exotic Flavor ChampionKnoxville, TN, USJun 17, 2017
Nashville Chili FestivalNashville, TN, USMar 26, 2017
International Biscuit FestivalKnoxville, TN, USMay 20, 2017
FiveStar Food FightChattanooga, TN, USJul 30, 2017
Wild Card Elite DivisionTN, USApr 5, 2017
Best of the Southcookeville, tn, USSep 1, 2017
The F Word on FOX - Episode 5 - Casey JonesTV, US
Food Network: Guy's Grocery Games - Jordan WakefieldTV, US
Tolbert Ladies State Chili Championship of TexasBlanco, TX, US
Flats Chili Cookoff / Real Texas Chili CookoffPort Aransas, TX, USDec 17, 2016
Tri State Open Chili ChampionshipAmarillo, TX, USJan 14, 2017
Yaga's Chili Quest & Beer FestGalveston Island, TX, USJan 20, 2017
BBQ & Chili Cookoff - Houston Metro Go Texan Cy-Fair (Chili competition)Houston, TX, USJan 21, 2017
CASI US OpenTerlingua, TX, USJan 27, 2017
Fruitvale Chili/Steak CompetitionFruitvale, TX, USJan 28, 2017
Texas Open Chili CookoffSan Antonio, TX, USFeb 25, 2017
Tolbert Texas Men's State Chili ChampionshipMaxdale, TX, USMar 4, 2017
Roughneck Chili & BBQ Cookoff (Chili competition)Luling, TX, USApr 1, 2017
CASI Ladies State Chili CookoffSeguin, TX, USApr 8, 2017
Houston POD CASI Chili Cook-offHouston, TX, USApr 22, 2017
Texas Music Festival Chili Cook-off - Larry Joe Taylor AnnualStephenville, TX, USApr 24, 2017
Frank X. Tolbert - Wick Fowler International Original Terlingua Championship Chili Cook-offTerlingua, TX, USNov 4, 2017
Five Alarm Showdown #1 (Chicken Wing competition)Bastrop, TX, USMar 4, 2017
Live Oak County Fair Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition)Georgewest, TX, USMar 4, 2017
NBBQA Classic Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Fort Worth, TX, USApr 1, 2017
John Henry's Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Houston, TX, USApr 8, 2017
Five Alarm Showdown #2 (Chicken Wing competition)Neiderwald, TX, USApr 15, 2017
Five Alarm Showdown #3 (Chicken Wing competition)Pflugerville, TX, USMay 13, 2017
Premier Gilling Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Little Elm, TX, USMay 20, 2017
Proud of Texas POD Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Waco, TX, USJun 24, 2017
Five Alarm Showdown #4 (Chicken Wing competition)Georgetown, TX, USJul 8, 2017
Out West Bar & Grill Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)West, TX, USAug 19, 2017
Bedford Blues and BBQ Festival Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Bedford, TX, USSep 2, 2017
Azle Sting Fling Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Azle, TX, USSep 9, 2017
The Sky's the Limit Balloon Spectacular (Chicken Wing competition)Gainesville, TX, USSep 9, 2017
Smokin Possum Hollow Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition)Graham, TX, USSep 16, 2017
Live Oak County Fair Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition)George West, TX, USMar 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, USApr 8, 2017
SCA: RAHR-B-Que Steak Cook-Off (Appetizer competition)Fort Worth, TX, USMay 7, 2017
Whitney Wildcat Athletic Booster Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition)Lake Whitney, TX, US
Tri State Open Chili Championship - 2016Amarillo, TX, US
Texas Open Chili Cookoff - 2016San Antonio, TX, US
City Weekly's Best of Utah - Best Chicken SandwichSalt Lake City, UT, USNov 17, 2016
Green Mountain BBQ Championship (Bacon competition)Randolph, VT, USSep 9, 2017
Green Mountain BBQ Championship (Recipe competition)Randolph, VT, USSep 9, 2017
Green Mountain BBQ Championship (Dessert competition)Randolph, VT, USSep 9, 2017
Green Mountain BBQ Championship (Sandwich competition)Randolph, VT, USSep 9, 2017
Chuckanut Chili Cook-Off at the Annual Dirty Dan Harris FestivalBellingham, WA, USApr 23, 2017
National Lentil Festival - Legendary Lentil Cook-OffPullman, WA, USAug 18, 2017
Tolbert: Washington State Chili Cookoff - Overall WinnerOcean Shores, WA, USSep 25, 2016
Tolbert: Washington State Chili Cookoff - Judge's ChoiceOcean Shores, WA, USSep 25, 2016
Milwaukee Wingfest (Judge's Choice)Milwaukee, WI, USOct 2, 2016
Milwaukee Wingfest (Most Unique)Milwaukee, WI, USOct 2, 2016
Milwaukee Wingfest (People's Choice)Milwaukee, WI, USOct 2, 2016
Chugwater Chili Cookoff / Wyoming State ChampionshipChugwater, WY, USJun 17, 2017

International Events

Event Location Date
Canadian Food Championships - Chili - 2nd Place and 3rd PlaceEdmonton, AB, CAAug 12, 2017
Taste of the World - FranceFRJun 1, 2017
Taste of the World - HaitiHTJun 1, 2017
Taste of the World - PhilippinesHTJun 1, 2017
Restaurant Manager of the Year - Gourmet Abu DhabiBangalore, IN
Special Invitation - International - Shiva KumarBangalore, IN
Special Invitation - International - Gnana Kiruba KaranTamlnadu, IN
Special Invitation - International - Chitrarasu NaiduTamlnadu, IN
The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Recipe competition) - Amateur divisionONLINE, NGJul 1, 2017
The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Recipe competition) - Professional divisionONLINE, NGJul 1, 2017
Special Invitation - Philippine Council of Hospitality Management StudentsManila, PH
Tagisan ng Talino Chef Express - Champion, STI College AlabangPH
Q-Fest (Chili competition) - United KingdomDevon, GBApr 28, 2017
United Q - United KingdomExeter, GBApr 29, 2017
The 7th Reading Chilli Cookoff at the Reading Festival - United KingdomReading, GBJun 17, 2017
Bath & Bristol Chili Cookoff - United KingdomBath / Bristol, GBJul 15, 2017
Gower Chili Cookoff - United KingdomGower, GBJul 22, 2017
Dorset Chili Cookoff - United KingdomDorset, GBAug 5, 2017
The Maldon Smoke and Fire Chilli Cook-Off - United KingdomMaldon Essex, GBAug 19, 2017
The Big Meat - United KingdomFarnham, GBAug 26, 2017
Nantwich Chili Cookoff - United KingdomNantwich, GBSep 2, 2017
UK Chili Cookoff at the Upton Cheyney Chilli Festival (Grand Champion) - United KingdomUpton Cheyney, GBSep 10, 2017
London Chili Cookoff – United KingdomLondon, GBMay 14, 2017
UKCCA Grand Final - United KingdomFleet, GBSep 23, 2017