When a destination takes great pride in a food item authentic to them and builds a whole event around it, that’s something worth traveling for. That’s the case with Chugwater, Wyoming and their popular Chugwater Chili Cook-Off. Read about it here, then make plans to go to this annual event.

Save this article to Pinterest and mark your calendar for next June to attend the Chugwater Chili Cook-Off. Photos by Ron Stern, graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Hungry for more? Read about the Chugwater Soda Fountain.

What it’s Like to Attend Wyoming’s Chugwater Chili Cook-Off

The 38th annual Wyoming State Championship Chili Cook-off took place in 2024 in the town of Chugwater, situated between Cheyenne and Wheatland. What started as a simple chili contest in 1986 has grown to become the largest single-day event in the state. Each June, the cook-off attracts thousands of chili aficionados who descend upon this ranching community to enjoy a variety of fun, family-friendly events.

Contestant George Aikinson and his fiance prepare for the Chugwater Chili Cook-Off.

Anyone is welcome to enter with a chance to win prizes in the categories of red chili, green chili, and salsa. The event is sanctioned by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI). After preliminary and final tasting by judges, the overall winner has the opportunity to attend the nationals in Terlingua, Texas.

I arrived in the morning to find 1st Street lined with a host of classic cars. Historic vehicles of every type were on display, including a completely restored 1954 Nash Statesman.

The car show that’s part of the Chugwater Chili Cook-off includes classics like this Nash.

Staat Park in the center of town was where most of the action was. Chili and salsa cooks were busy preparing their masterpieces for the judges and your entrance fee covers the tasting samples. Vendors offered everything from food to chili spices to ice cream while live music complemented the festive atmosphere.

The pie-eating contest is always one of the most popular and video-worthy activities of the day. Anyone young or old could participate and long tables were lined with a host of fruit and cream pies. As the countdown ends, they dive in, headfirst to see who can devour the most pie in the allotted time. Of course, seeing faces covered in gooey fruit and confections is all part of the fun.

Participants dove in to the pie-eating contest in Chugwater.

The cook-off includes a rodeo (this is cowboy country, y’all.), and a concert. Plan on spending the entire day when you come and available accommodations are listed on their website.

Whether you like your chili sweet, spicy or savory, Chugwater Chili Cook-off is the hottest ticket in Wyoming. Growing in popularity every year, 2025 plans on being the best one yet! To learn more about the Chugwater Chili Cook-Off, visit their website, here.

-Story and photos by Ron Stern, Hospitality Editor, RealFoodTraveler.com

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Please note: This was a sponsored visit, however, all opinions were honest and based on the author’s opinion.