Name: 15th Annual Vegan Chili Cook Off
Start: 2026-04-11T16:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-04-11T18:00:00-05:00
Location: Saint Paul Student Center

🔥 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 at the check-in table, and purchase your ticket if needed
-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)
-Stick around for a chance to win raffle prizes & more
🎟️ 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! https://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/vegan food items (no meat, dairy, eggs, or other animal products). We’ll donate the items to a local food shelf and post a photo afterwards.
👪 Everyone Is Welcome — Vegan or Not!
All are welcome at this event, regardless of age, race, immigrant status, or any other demographic – and whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, flexitarian, or still figuring it out. Great chili is for everyone!
🌱 Why a Vegan Chili Cook-Off? The Case for Plant-Based
Plant-based food lowers the risk of certain chronic diseases like T2 diabetes and heart disease; 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 how delicious and varied plant-based foods are!
🌶️ Past Winners of the Twin Cities Vegan Chili Cook-Off
Past winners include Vegan Byy Nature (2025 champions), Lulu EthioVegan (2024 champions, whose chili is still available on their restaurant menu!); and The Howe (2023 champions). Can this year’s competitors take the crown? Come find out!
🔥 Interested in Competing?
Are you a local restaurant interested in competing? If you’d like to compete, fill out the form here! -- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMOJHOXW3Ju8mdP51E-RjYXthl4-s2akfcisaLQv7rcXFn-w/viewform?usp=dialog (If the form is closed when you click on the link, we are at capacity -- catch us next year!)
💛 About the Organizers: Compassionate Action for Animals @ UMN
This event is organized by the University of Minnesota student chapter of Compassionate Action for Animals. A huge thank you to officers Ronan, Guinevere, and Blake for pulling it all together! Are you a student who cares about farmed animals and plant-based eating? Find the org on GopherLink here -- https://ticketbud.com/events/8ee9a07c-135f-11f1-a829-42010a717007 -- or talk to the students at the CAA @ UMN table during the event.
🌱 Stay warm, stay fed, and celebrate spring with your community.