Spice Up Your Sunday at the Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook‑Off

Looking for a fun way to spend your Sunday with friends, flavor, and flair? Check out the Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Folktale Winery, located at 8940 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley.

Photo from coastalifestyles.com

What’s Happening

One of the region’s most beloved events, the Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off has long been a highlight of the Carmel Valley social calendar and showcases how seriously Monterey County takes its comfort food.

Hosted at the beautiful Folktale Winery, this spirited competition brings together local chefs and home cooks to see who can craft the most flavorful chili on the Central Coast. What started as a lighthearted local challenge has evolved into a celebration of food, community, and creativity. Today, it features live music, a margarita contest, and a vibrant tasting event where attendees vote for their favorites.

The recipes themselves have become works of art — one local chef even described using prime rib and a blend of three chiles to create a “swarthy, rugged spice like a desert sunrise.” This event shows how chili cook-offs have evolved into modern-day food festivals, where local chefs and home cooks go head-to-head, bringing bold, inventive recipes to the table.

To add to the fun, there will be music and entertainment to keep things lively, laid-back, and social as you mingle, taste multiple chili entries, cast your vote, and get in on the fun.

A Little History Behind Chili Cook-Offs

The roots of chili cook-offs go back to Texas in the 1950s, when the first recorded competition took place in Terlingua, a small desert town known for its wild spirit and fiery flavors. That 1967 “World Championship Chili Cookoff” helped spark a nationwide phenomenon, blending friendly rivalry with regional pride. From there, cook-offs became a way for communities to showcase local ingredients, support charities, and celebrate the art of slow-cooked spice.

By the time the tradition made its way to California’s Central Coast, it had taken on a distinctly local flair — combining the state’s farm-to-table sensibility with the casual warmth of small-town gatherings. Chili cook-offs are more than just contests; they’re celebrations of community, creativity, fund raising events and good taste.

Event Details at a Glance

When: Sunday, Nov 9, 2025 • 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Where: Folktale Winery, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93923
Tickets:
• General Admission – Chamber Members: $50
• Non-Members: $65 (ticket sales close Friday, Nov 7)
Competitor Entry:
• Chamber Members: $100
• Non-Members: $150 (includes table/linens, signage, two GA tickets)
Age: 21+ only (since there’s a margarita contest)

How to Attend as a Guest

If you’re just going to enjoy the event, grab your ticket before Friday, Nov 7 (no tickets at the door). Bring your friends, sample lots of chili (and maybe a margarita or two!), vote for your favorite, and soak up the live music and relaxed winery setting.

How to Participate as a Cook

Got a killer chili recipe? This is your moment! Register as a competitor and bring your best chili — and maybe a margarita — to compete for bragging rights and prizes. Entry includes a 6’ table with black linen and signage, plus tasting cups, napkins, spoons, and other supplies provided by the Chamber. You’ll need to bring your own heating setup (power access not guaranteed) and follow basic food safety rules.

Get Tasting!

What makes chili cook-offs so special is the blend of community spirit and culinary sophistication. They’re not just about who wins — they’re about gathering neighbors, supporting good causes, and celebrating local flavor. Whether it’s the smoky heat of a chef’s secret blend or the bold creativity of a home cook, each bowl tells a story.

As these cook-offs continue to warm hearts (and taste buds) across the peninsula, they remind us that even the humblest dish can bring people together. So come for the chili, stay for the atmosphere, and join in celebrating what makes our region such a flavorful place to live, work, eat! and enjoy.

See you at the Great Bowls of Fire!