About this Event
Welcome to The Downtown Chili Throwdown!
The Boldest Bowls in the City—All in One Tent
🔥 Savor the Heat. Celebrate the Craft. Support a Great Cause.
🗓️ Event Date & Time
Saturday, November 1, 2025
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Live music from 12:30 – 4:30 PM
Winners announced at 4:00 PM
📍 Location
Gimme’s Par & Grill – Parking Lot Tent
45 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Downtown Grand Rapids | Heated Tent | Live Music | Drinks Galore
🥄 About the Event
Gimme’s is throwing down for charity—and this time, it’s personal (and delicious). The Downtown Chili Throwdown brings together a number of the city’s best restaurants for a fall-themed, no-holds-barred chili cook-off. Expect traditional flavor bombs, wildly creative twists, and a whole lot of heat.
Whether you're a casual taster or a chili snob, we’ve got you covered:
- Samples of every chili (Traditional + Unique from each vendor)
- Vote with your chips for the People’s Champs
- Live music keeps the energy high all afternoon
- Fall cocktails and draft beer from Gimme’s outdoor cart
- All under a giant heated tent
All proceeds support Van Andel Institute.
🎟️ Tickets
Advance Tickets: $10
At the Door (if available): $15
Kids: Free!
🎟️ Includes:
- Entry into the event
- One sample of every chili (Traditional + Unique per vendor)
- Two voting tokens (1 for Traditional, 1 for Unique)
- Access to live music & heated tent
- Warm fall vibes + support for a great cause
👉 Buy early! Limited walk-up tickets available.
🌶️ What You’ll Experience
✅ Taste many types of chili
✅ Vote for your favorites
✅ Rock out to live music from 12:30–4:30 PM
✅ Enjoy fall cocktails, cold beer & non-alcoholic options
✅ Warm up in our massive heated tent
✅ Support a great cause while having a blast
👨🍳 Competing Restaurants Include:
(TBA – Full list to be announced in October!)Expect Grand Rapids’ best local spots, with top chefs putting their ladles on the line.
🏅 Awards
🥇 Judges’ Overall ChampionChosen by a panel of local chefs, media, local celebrities and culinary pros
🥈 People’s Choice – Traditional Chili
🥉 People’s Choice – Unique Chili
Vote with your chips. Winners earn glory, bragging rights, and some sweet Gimme’s perks.
🍻 Beverage Service by Gimme’s
• Fall-Themed Cocktails
• N/A Beverages
• Outdoor "Turn" Cart + Draft Beer Station
🤝 Charity Partner
This year’s event will benefit Van Andel Institute, so every bite goes toward something bigger.
👕 Should I Buy a Shirt?
Yes. Yes, you should. Limited-edition “Downtown Chili Throwdown” swag will be available for purchase at the event. Grab one before they sell out. You’ll thank us later.
📢 Calling All Chili Masters!
Are you a restaurant or culinary team that wants in? Submit your chili by Friday, October 4, 2025.
👉 Email [email protected] for full competition info and sign-up link.
🤝 Interested in Sponsoring?
Support local food, local causes, and get in front of a fired-up Grand Rapids crowd.Sponsorship tiers available from $500 to Presenting Sponsor.
📩 Reach out to [email protected] to lock in your spot.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
45 Ottawa Ave NW, 45 Ottawa Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 12.51
