Chili cooks from across the Midwest will fire up their stoves this Saturday, August 29, for the Three-I Regional Championship Chili Cook-Off at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive in Hammond. The one-day event brings together competitors from Indiana, Illinois and Iowa while raising money for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.
The public is invited to join the fun from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. For a $5 donation, guests can sample chili prepared by the competing cooks and vote for their favorite. Sampling will be from 1-3 p.m. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.
This isn't crockpot chili brought from home. Competitors will prepare their recipes on site and from scratch, putting their skills to the test in a sanctioned Texas-style Red Chili competition. And in true Texas Red tradition, there are no beans in the competition chili.
Cooks will be competing for prizes, bragging rights and four opportunities to advance to the CASI World Championship in Terlingua, Texas, this November.
In addition to having plenty of chili, there will be a cash bar available, live music by the Nick Danger Duo, and a food truck will be on site from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and available to both competitors and the public.
The Three-I Regional Championship offers Northwest Indiana residents a chance to experience competitive chili cooking up close, meet cooks from throughout the Midwest, taste a variety of recipes and support an important local cause — all in one afternoon.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
What: Three-I Regional Championship Chili Cook-Off
When: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Public Hours: 10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Live Music from 12 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Chili samples from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Where: Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Drive, Hammond, IN
Admission/Tasting: $5 donation
Benefiting: Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
Featuring: Competition chili tasting, live music, People's Choice voting, cash bar and food truck (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m)
Individuals interested in competing in the cook-off or serving as a judge can find additional information at www.MansManChili.com or email info@MansManChili.com.
