National Chili Day Cook-Off Party Ideas

Short answer: Ask each guest to bring their best chili in a slow cooker, set up a tasting station with numbered entries, and let everyone vote by ballot. Award categories like “Spiciest,” “Coziest,” and “Wild Card” keep it fun and inclusive.

• Guests bring chili in slow cookers (you provide power strips)
• Number each entry and keep recipes anonymous until voting ends
• Set up a ballot box with simple voting cards
• Create 3-4 fun award categories so multiple cooks can win
• Use Gather Shot to collect photos of every entry and reaction

Why a Chili Cook-Off Works

National Chili Day falls on February 26, right when everyone craves warm, hearty food. A cook-off turns a casual gathering into an interactive event where guests become both contestants and judges. The competition is friendly, the food is abundant, and you end up with a potluck without doing all the cooking.

How to Set Up the Competition

The Entry Table

Push a long table against a wall and line up slow cookers. Assign each entry a number on a tent card. Keep the chef’s identity secret until voting closes. This anonymity makes judging fair and adds suspense to the reveal.

Pro tip: Ask guests to bring their slow cooker already warm. Provide 2-3 power strips and extension cords so everyone can plug in.

Tasting Supplies

Set out small cups or bowls so guests can sample each chili without filling up too fast. Provide spoons, napkins, water, and bread or crackers to cleanse the palate between tastings.

The Ballot Box

Print simple voting cards with fields for “Spiciest,” “Coziest,” “Wild Card,” and “Best Overall.” Place a decorated box (a shoebox wrapped in red paper works fine) at the end of the tasting table. Give guests 15-20 minutes to taste and vote.

Fun Award Categories

Multiple categories mean more winners and more bragging rights. Here are ideas:

You can add a “People’s Choice” or “Judge’s Pick” if you want a host tiebreaker.

Extra Party Ideas

Chili Topping Bar

Set up a separate station with shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, green onions, cornbread crumbles, and hot sauce. Guests customize their bowls and snap photos of their creations.

Name That Chili

Have each cook submit a fun name for their entry. Post the names alongside the numbers after voting. Names like “Grandma’s Revenge” or “Bean There, Done That” always get laughs.

Slow Cooker Bingo

Hand out bingo cards with squares like “white chicken chili,” “uses beer,” “no beans,” and “secret family recipe.” Guests check off squares as they taste. First to bingo wins a prize.

Photo Wall of Fame

Print a sign that says “Chili Champions” and hang polaroids or printed photos of past winners (or this year’s contestants). Guests love posing with their slow cookers.

How Gather Shot Fits In

A chili cook-off generates tons of photo-worthy moments: proud cooks presenting their entries, dramatic first-bite reactions, and the big winner reveal. Print a Gather Shot QR code at the entry table and the topping bar. Guests scan to upload photos instantly. No app downloads, no group chats to manage. All the action lands in one shared gallery you can send out after the party.

You can even use photo moderation to approve the best shots before sharing with the group.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many chili entries should I allow? 6-10 entries work well for most home parties. More than that and guests get full before they finish tasting.

What if two entries tie for Best Overall? Award both. Or use a “spiciest bite” tiebreaker where the host decides.

Do I need to provide slow cookers? No. Ask each guest to bring their own. Just make sure you have enough outlets and power strips.

What sides go with a chili cook-off? Cornbread, tortilla chips, coleslaw, and plenty of cold drinks to cool down after the spicy entries.

Can I host this outdoors? Yes, if you have outdoor power access. A garage or covered patio works great in late February.

Ready to host your chili cook-off? Create your free Gather Shot event and collect every steamy, spicy moment.