What Is the DuPont Chili Cookoff and Who Is It For?

The DuPont Chili Cookoff is the chili-focused sister event to the DuPont BBQ Cookoff, bringing together CASI (Texas Red) and Homestyle chili teams, local businesses, and hungry neighbors for a one-day food festival in the heart of DuPont. It is produced by the DuPont American Legion “Pat Tillman Memorial” Post #53 and organized by KCBS Certified Master Judge, CASI-certified judge, and former KCBS competitor Tom Riggs.

• Backyard and serious chili cooks who want real competition in CASI and Homestyle categories.
• Local families looking for a budget-friendly, all-you-can-eat tasting day.
• Veterans, military families, first responders, and supporters of Ranger Pat Tillman’s legacy.
• Businesses that want face-to-face exposure as sponsors or vendors in front of a hungry, engaged crowd.
• Food lovers from DuPont, JBLM, Lakewood, Lacey, Olympia, Yelm, and across the South Sound.

This year marks the second year at The Hive Market Place after a successful run at the former FOB Brewery, which hosted the chili event for five years before closing, and it now anchors the chili side of the 9th Annual DuPont BBQ Cookoff tradition.

When and Where Does the DuPont Chili Cookoff Take Place?

• Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
• Time: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (public tastings 12:15 pm – 3:30 pm; awards at 4:00 pm)
• Venue: The Hive Market Place, parking lot next to ACU
• Address: 1425 Wilmington Drive, DuPont, WA 98327
• City: DuPont, Washington

Teams set up early in the morning, health inspections occur mid-morning, and by 12:15 pm the tents are open and chili samples are flowing for the public until 3:30 pm, followed by awards at 4:00 pm.

How the Chili Competition Works

Competition Categories

• CASI – Texas Red: CASI-style, Texas Red chili judged under CASI guidelines (no beans, focus on meat and spice profile).
• Homestyle Chili: Open-style chili that can include beans and other ingredients, judged separately from CASI.

Key Competition Schedule (Cooks)

• 08:30 – 09:30 – Team set-up.
• 10:00 – 11:30 – Possible Pierce County Health Department inspection.
• 12:00 – CASI chili turn-in for judging.
• 12:15 – 3:30 – Chili samples available to the public.
• 1:30 – Homestyle chili turn-in.
• 4:00 – Awards ceremony.

Entry Fees and Registration

• $25 – Home Style chili entry.
• $25 – CASI (Texas Red) chili entry.
• $40 – Both categories (bundle discount).
• Online registration: 2026 Chili Cookoff Registration.
• Payment by check: Make payable to American Legion Post 53, mail to PO Box 854, DuPont, WA 98327. Payment and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department permit application are required no later than April 10, 2026.

Rules for Chili Teams

• Texas Red (CASI style) and Homestyle are separate categories with separate turn-in times.
• Every team must have at least one current food handler permit holder in the booth.
• All Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department paperwork must be completed (sent by organizer after registration).
• All chili must be cooked and prepared on-site on the day of the event.
• Only gas or propane stoves are allowed; no electric is available on-site.
• Teams provide all ingredients, cooking equipment, utensils, and supplies.
• Each team is requested to prepare/donate at least 1.5 gallons of chili for turn-in and public sampling.
• Booth space: teams must bring their own table(s), maximum 10 feet of table per two cooks.
• Tent size: canopies no larger than 10’ x 10’ per space.
• Each team must bring a fire extinguisher and a hand-wash station for their booth.

For CASI rules and sanctioning questions, contact CASI representative Christine James. For questions about location, registration, charities, or logistics, contact organizer Tom Riggs at 253-720-4557.

Tickets, Wristbands, and What’s Included

The event uses simple, all-you-can-eat wristbands so you can sample multiple chilis without worrying about individual tickets.

• $10 – All-you-can-eat chili samples.
• $15 – All-you-can-eat chili, plus mac-n-cheese and cornbread.
• 20% discount for members of any Veteran Service Organization, police officers, firefighters, and first responders:
  • $8 – Chili-only wristband.
  • $12 – Chili + mac-n-cheese + cornbread wristband.
• Wristbands available online: Purchase all-you-can-eat wristbands.
• Alternate short link: https://bit.ly/ChiliWristbands.

Feel free to donate any amount in honor of Ranger Pat Tillman of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, whose service is memorialized by the DuPont American Legion “Pat Tillman Memorial” Post #53.

Note: There is no beer garden at this year’s DuPont Chili Cookoff.

Prizes, Awards, and People’s Choice

Homestyle Chili Prizes

• 1st Place – $200
• 2nd Place – $100
• 3rd Place – $50
• 4th Place – $25
• 5th Place – $25
• Ribbons for 1st – 10th place Homestyle finishers.

CASI (Texas Red) Prizes

• Ribbons for 1st – 10th place CASI finishers.

People’s Choice

• People’s Choice Winner – $100 (driven by public tasting votes).
• Public tastings and voting are open from 12:15 pm to 3:30 pm.

Why the DuPont Chili Cookoff Matters to the Community

The DuPont Chili Cookoff is more than a friendly contest over who has the best bowl—it is a fundraiser that directly supports healthy youth activities in the South Sound and provides assistance to Veterans in need through the DuPont American Legion “Pat Tillman Memorial” Post #53.

• Funds raised help local youth stay active, engaged, and supported through community programs.
• American Legion Post #53 uses proceeds to assist Veterans who need help across the South Sound region.
• The event honors the legacy of Ranger Pat Tillman and the service of Veterans and first responders.
• Local businesses, sponsors, and vendors get a high-visibility platform while backing a mission-driven event.

What It’s Like to Attend the DuPont Chili Cookoff

Expect rows of tents in The Hive parking lot, the smell of chili simmering from dozens of pots, and a steady flow of tasters walking from booth to booth comparing flavors, spice levels, and creativity.

• Walk up, show your wristband, and grab 3-ounce tasters from as many teams as you like.
• Chat with cooks about their recipes, ingredients, and CASI vs. Homestyle approaches.
• Vote for your favorite chili and help decide the People’s Choice winner.
• Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with space for kids, strollers, and multigenerational groups.
• Meet local business owners, Veteran organizations, and community partners at sponsor and vendor booths.

By late afternoon, the crowd gathers around the awards area to see which teams take home prize money, ribbons, and bragging rights.

What to Bring, Parking, and Accessibility

What to Bring

• Printed or digital proof of your wristband purchase (if bought online).
• Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing for an outdoor parking-lot event.
• Sun protection, hats, or light rain gear depending on the forecast.
• Cash or card if you want to make extra donations or support vendors.
• Optional: camp chairs if you want to hang out near the tasting area and awards longer.

Parking

• Parking is available near The Hive Market Place and in surrounding lots and street parking around central DuPont.

Accessibility

• The event is held on relatively flat pavement in The Hive parking lot.
• Tents and tables are arranged to allow foot traffic and mobility devices to move between booths.
• Portable restrooms will be provided, with at least one accessible unit recommended by the organizer.
• For specific accessibility questions, contact organizer Tom Riggs or call 253-720-4557 before the event.

Weather and Rain Plan

• The DuPont Chili Cookoff is a rain-or-shine outdoor event.
• Teams use tents and canopies to keep cooking and serving in light rain.
• In case of severe weather, updates and changes will be posted on DiscoverDupont and event channels.

Sponsors and Vendors: How to Get Involved

The DuPont Chili Cookoff gives local businesses a way to align with a beloved local tradition while meeting hundreds of engaged attendees in person.

Become a Sponsor

• Align your brand with a well-attended, mission-driven community event.
• Reach a hungry, engaged audience of families, Veterans, first responders, and food lovers.
• Get logo placement, shout-outs in coverage, and inclusion in DiscoverDupont sponsor articles.
• Custom sponsor packages are available, including creative promotion outside of the event day.

If sponsorship is not in your current budget, the organizers are open to creative solutions so your business can still participate and grow revenue—use the registration and contact forms to start the conversation.

Become a Vendor

• Set up a tent in The Hive parking lot and meet local residents all afternoon.
• Showcase your products or services while supporting Veterans and youth programs.
• Ideal for local restaurants, food trucks, makers, service providers, and Veteran-owned businesses.

To discuss sponsorships or vendor opportunities, use the contact information on this page or reach out to organizer Tom Riggs at 253-720-4557.

Contact, Registration Links, and Official Info

• Public Wristbands: Buy all-you-can-eat wristbands (backup: https://bit.ly/ChiliWristbands).
• Cook / Team Registration: 2026 Chili Cookoff Registration.
• Organizer (location, registration, charities, logistics): [email protected], 253-720-4557.
• CASI and rules questions: [email protected] (Christine James).
• Supporting event site: Chili Cookoff page on BBQDuPont.com (DiscoverDupont.com is a primary local event authority).

Details subject to change; check back on DiscoverDupont.com closer to May 2, 2026, for any updates to schedule, vendors, or weather-related adjustments.