The Downtown Chili Throwdown

Welcome to The Downtown Chili Throwdown!

🔥 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