This Event:
Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe
50 Hwy 50, Stateline, 89449
October 17
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Add to Google CalendarOctober 26 @ 4:04 pm
Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11:00 am, Join us for the inaugural South Shore Chili Cook Off, a fun-filled community event celebrating South Lake Tahoe’s first responders, local restaurants, and vibrant community spirit! Get tickets!
Sample a variety of signature chili recipes as local restaurants partner with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, and other first responder organizations in a friendly competition for the coveted People’s Choice Best Chili Award. Cast your vote for your favorite while enjoying live demonstrations, family-friendly activities, and the opportunity to meet the dedicated professionals who serve our region every day.
Featured restaurant partners include MacDuff’s, Pub at Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe, South of North Brewery Co., Tahoe Bagel Co., Fox & Hound Smokehouse Grill & Bar, Bruschetta, and more, alongside local heroes from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department, Lake Valley Fire Department, Care Flight Reno, LTCC Fire & Public Safety Program, California Highway Patrol, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, California Conservation Corps, and El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
The event also supports a great cause, with a portion of proceeds benefiting charities selected by each participating first responder team. Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to help kick off the Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Drive.
More than just a chili competition, the South Shore Chili Cook Off is a new annual tradition designed to bring the community together while attracting visitors to South Shore during the beautiful fall season. Your attendance supports local organizations, showcases our incredible culinary talent, and celebrates the partnerships that make our community strong.
Admission includes unlimited chili tastings and People’s Choice voting.
Bring your family, your friends, and your appetite—we’ll see you at the South Shore’s hottest new fall tradition!
$30 per person
$15 per child under 10 yrs.
Each attending party to bring one NEW toy to donate to Toys for Tots Drive
Each team is also cooking for a cause:
Himmel Haus + El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office
Benefiting the El Dorado County Sheriff’s K-9 Association
McP’s Taphouse Grill + South Lake Tahoe Police Department
Benefiting Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
The Woods Restaurant + South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue
Benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
AleWorX + Lake Valley Fire Protection District
Supporting the family of fallen Fire Engineer Neil Schnaible
South of North Brewing Co. + CalTahoe
Benefiting Bread & Broth for Kids
Tahoe Bagel Co. + Care Flight
Benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe
LTCC Culinary Arts + LTCC Forestry, Fire & Public Safety Program
Benefiting the LTCC Foundation
Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe + CAL-REACH
Beneficiary to be announced
Fox & Hound Smokehouse Grill & Bar + Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District
Benefiting the Wildland Firefighter Foundation
California Conservation Corps + California Conservation Corps
Benefiting the CCC Foundation
Bruschetta + Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Benefiting the Kahle Community Center
Cali Burger + California Highway Patrol – South Lake Tahoe
Benefiting the CHP 11-99 Foundation
The team earning the most People’s Choice votes will take home the title of South Shore’s Best Chili, and its beneficiary will receive the largest share of charitable proceeds. The remaining participating beneficiaries will also receive a portion of funds raised.
That means every additional ticket helps increase the overall amount available to give back. Attendees can support a favorite restaurant, first responder agency, or charitable cause simply by showing up, sampling the chili and casting their vote.
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