About this Event
South Shore’s Hottest New Fall Tradition
The Tahoe Chamber is turning up the heat this fall with the inaugural South Shore Chili Cook Off, bringing together local restaurants and regional first responders for an afternoon of great chili, friendly competition, live music, and community giving.
South Shore restaurants will team up with first responder agencies to develop their own signature chili recipes and compete for the title of South Shore’s Best Chili. Attendees will sample the creations, meet the teams, and cast their vote to determine the winner.
Live music will keep the party going throughout the Cook Off from local favorite Bread & Butter
Meet the Chili Cook Off Teams
Twelve South Shore restaurants and first responder teams are joining forces to create their own signature chili. Some friendly competition has already begun, and ultimately, you decide who wins.
Every ticket holder gets a vote, so come out and support your favorite restaurant, agency, friends, family, or coworkers as they compete for the title of South Shore’s Best Chili.
- Himmel Haus + El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office
- McP’s Taphouse + South Lake Tahoe Police Department
- The Woods + South Lake Tahoe Fire Department
- AleWorX Lake Tahoe + Lake Valley Fire Department
- South of North Brewing Co. + CalTahoe
- Tahoe Bagel Co. + Care Flight
- LTCC Culinary Arts + LTCC Forestry, Fire & Public Safety Program
- Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe + CAL-REACH
- Fox & Hound Smokehouse BBQ & Grill + Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District
- California Conservation Corps+ California Conservation Corps
- Bruschetta + Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
- California Burger Co. + California Highway Patrol
Chili for a Cause
The South Shore Chili Cook Off is about more than bragging rights.
Each participating first responder team will select a charitable organization to benefit from event proceeds. The team crowned South Shore’s Best Chili will earn the largest share of charitable proceeds for its selected organization, while the charities represented by the other participating teams will also receive a portion of the funds raised. This means every team, and every charity represented, wins.
Bring a Toy. Make an Even Bigger Impact.
Guests are encouraged to bring one new, unwrapped toy to support the Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Drive.
This gives attendees another way to give back while enjoying the Chili Cook Off and helps extend the event’s community impact into the holiday season.
Make a Weekend of It!
Coming from out of town? Stay for the weekend and enjoy fall in Lake Tahoe! Our lodging partners are offering special rates for Chili Cook Off attendees, with properties conveniently located within walking distance of the event.
Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe – Chili Cook Off Rate
https://goldennuggetlaketahoe.book.pegsbe.com/promo?offerCode=CHILI26&hotel=GNLT
Bally’s Lake Tahoe – Chamber Rate
https://ballyslaketahoe.book.pegsbe.com/promo?offerCode=CHAMBER&hotel=MBRCS
Forest Suites Resort – Chili Cook Off Weekend Rate
https://be.synxis.com/?adult=1&arrive=2026-10-16&chain=21123&child=0¤cy=USD&depart=2026-10-18&group=10Q8HD&hotel=38401&level=hotel&locale=en-US&productcurrency=USD&rooms=1
Stay Friday through Sunday, enjoy the Chili Cook Off on Saturday, and make a fall weekend out of your visit to South Shore!
Getting to the Event
Paid parking is available at Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe. Guests are also encouraged to use Lake Link, South Shore’s free on-demand transportation service, or ride to the event and take advantage of our free bike valet.
Bring Your Appetite & Cast Your Vote!
Gather your family and friends and join us for great chili, local restaurants, first responders, and a whole lot of South Shore community spirit.
Tickets are on sale now—secure yours and help us crown South Shore’s Best Chili!
The South Shore Chili Cook Off will take place rain or shine. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
Event venue & nearby stays
Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino, 50 U.S. 50, Stateline, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.