☀️ Saint Paul's Favorite Vegan Chili Competition Is Back!
Spring has finally arrived — and so has your favorite chili competition! After a delayed start to the season in the Twin Cities, we're thrilled to bring back the Vegan Chili Cook-Off and gather our community around some incredible food.
This year, local chefs will go head-to-head to earn the title of Minnesota's best vegan chili. Come sample every single entry and cast your vote for the winner — your taste buds are the judge!
🔥 How the Vegan Chili Cook-Off Works
- Come to the North Star Ballroom inside the Saint Paul Student Center
- Check in or purchase your ticket at the check-in table
- Grab your plate and utensils
- Follow the line to make a circuit around to each competitor's table. Each chili sample is labeled with a different number
- Eat your chilis!
- Use the voting forms on your table to rate each chili (if you don't bring your smartphone, you can use the voting tablet at the check-in table to vote)
🎟️ Tickets, Admission & Volunteering
- FREE for college students with student ID, volunteers, and children under 15
- $10 tickets for the general public (cash, card, or online) -- pre-purchase your ticket here to save your seat! -- https://ticketbud.com/events/8ee9a07c-135f-11f1-a829-42010a717007
- A variety of volunteer slots are open – during, before, and after the event. Sign up to volunteer at caa.mn/volunteer! Thank you to all our volunteers. (In addition to your free ticket, there will be some extra food available for you to fuel your volunteer work.)
✨ Raffle, Prizes & Ways to Give Back
- When you enter, you get a raffle ticket to win snacks and prizes. Stay til the end of the event for a chance to win raffle items!
- Want to contribute to your community? Bring hygiene items (like new toothpaste and toilet paper) or plant-based food items. We'll donate the items to a local food shelf and post a photo afterwards.
🧑🏽🍳 The 2026 Competitors
We are pleased to welcome the following competitors to the competition!:
- Dreamstate Cafe
- Food on the Fly
- Reverie Cafe + Bar
- Salsa a la Salsa
- Vegan Witt
🍲 Why a Vegan Chili Cook-Off? The Case for Plant-Based Meals
Plant-based food lowers the risk of certain chronic diseases; has lower land, water, and carbon footprints; and is an act of care and compassion for our animal relatives. This event is a great way to explore the benefits of delicious plant-based food!
👬🏿 Everyone Is Welcome — Vegan or Not!
All are welcome at this event, regardless of age, race, or any other demographic – and whether you're vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, flexitarian, or still figuring it out. Great chili is for everyone!
🌱 Stay warm, stay fed, and celebrate spring with your community.
Event Venue
North Star Ballroom, Saint Paul Student Center, 2017 Buford Ave, Saint Paul, United States
