The 12th Annual Chili Cook Off
Sunday, January 12 | 12:00-5:00pmLocation | Fitzgerald’s Night Club
Come join us for the NFL’s Divisional Playoffs, an epic chili throw-down, great live music and great friends getting together for a great cause.
The 12th Annual Chili Cook Off
Sunday, January 12 | 12:00-5:00pmLocation | Fitzgerald’s Night Club
Come join us for the NFL’s Divisional Playoffs, an epic chili throw-down, great live music and great friends getting together for a great cause.
Event Info
$25 pre-purchase | $30 at the door
Includes:
Complimentary app buffet from Beyond Events
Full access to all chili
Live entertainment
Donation to Opportunity Knocks
Kids 12 and under free
Kid's Activity Area
Sponsored by
This is a family affair, full with a kid-friendly event area that includes engaging games and activities for children. We will also have event staff on hand for supervision so that parents can enjoy some socializing while the kids play.
Kids under 12 enter and eat for free
11:00 AM Registration
CHILI CHEF REGISTRATION BEGINS (CHEFS ONLY)
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11:30 AM Chili Judging
INDIVIDUAL CHILI JUDGING BEGINS
12:00 PM Chili Cookoff
THE CHILI COOK-OFF BEGINS (OPEN TO PUBLIC)
BEGIN PEOPLE’S CHOICE COMPETITION #1
12:45 PM ChilI TASTING
INDIVIDUAL CHILI TASTING IS OPEN TO ALL EVENT ATTENDEES
1:45 PM CHILI WINNERS
CHILI CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED:
INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION & PEOPLE’S CHOICE ROUND 1
2:00 PM BEGIN pc #2
BEGIN PEOPLE’S CHOICE (PC) COMPETITION #2 | NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
3:00 PM PC #2 WINNERS
RAFFLE DRAWING & ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF ROUND 2 OF PEOPLE’S CHOICE COMPETITION
3:30 PM LIVE MUSIC
BEGIN LIVE MUSIC
4:30 PM PC #3 WINNERS
RAFFLE DRAWING & ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF ROUND 3 PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Get Involved
@ the Chili Cook-off
Compete
as a Chili Chef
Sponsor
Join our team of community partners
Attend Event
as a Chili & OK enthusiast
Raffle
Great prizes, great odds
Donate
in lieu of attendance
Volunteer
Join the event staff team
Chili Sponsors
Habanero Pepper Sponsors
Jalapeno Pepper Sponsors
Poblano Pepper Sponsors
Banana Pepper SponsorS
Also Contributing
The Chili Contest
INDIVIDUAL CHILI CONTEST
 Chef-testants will battle over three rounds for this year’s Chili Cook-Off title! The contest judges will be revealed in advance of the event. Think your chili can win the overall and/or vegetarian divisions? Register now!
PEOPLE’S CHOICE CHILI CONTEST       This contest is meant to be a fun interactive feature at the event, allowing groups to participate in the event while connecting with this mission. We encourage each group to bring their families and friends out in force, as we always find, the more the merrier and the more people you bring, the more votes you secure! The 2019 contestants will be announced soon…
The Chili Contest
INDIVIDUAL CHILI CONTEST
 Chef-testants will battle over three rounds for this year’s Chili Cook-Off title! The contest judges will be revealed in advance of the event. Think your chili can win the overall and/or vegetarian divisions? Register now!
PEOPLE’S CHOICE CHILI CONTEST       This contest is meant to be a fun interactive feature at the event, allowing groups to participate in the event while connecting with this mission. We encourage each group to bring their families and friends out in force, as we always find, the more the merrier and the more people you bring, the more votes you secure! The 2019 contestants will be announced soon…
People’s Choice Matchups
Beyond Catering vs Big Guys Sausage Stand | 12pm
Oak Leyden vs OK Life Shop | 2pm
People’s Choice Competition #3 will begin at 3:15pm.
Competitors are TBD.
Meet The Judges
It’s no small task to sit at the judge’s table at the OK Chili Cook-off.
We are grateful to have these professional chefs and chili aficionados taking the charge.
Lou Lio
KCC Catering
Sweet Lou is a professionally trained chef and works part time with Knockout Catering as a chef and coach. Lou is a past contestant of this event and is looking forward to trying all the chilis.
Erik Williams
Owner of Carnivore
Erik will also be returning as judge for the third time this year. He is one of the owners of Carnviore in Oak Park, which has appeared on WGN’s Chicago’s Best and been named one of the best burgers by the Chicago Tribune.
Tom Kunkel
Owner of Urban Pioneer Group
Tom will be judging the chili contest for the first time this year. He owns and operates Urban Pioneer Group, along with his wife Sheila, which has been doing many exciting collaborations with the community including a pop up that featured Knockout Catering along with other local companies.
Sean Cusick
Executive Chef at Smoque BBQ in Chicago
Sean is the Executive Chef at Smoque BBQ in Chicago, one of the cities best BBQ joints. This is his third year as a judge and he is excited to see what new ideas people have this year.
Raffle Prizes
Enter for a chance to win one of this year’s prizes!  For online purchases, please save your confirmation email as proof of purchase. A physical stub will be produced by OK Event Staff and placed in the raffle wheel on the day of the event.
Winner does NOT need to be present
1st Prize
Mexico Trip
8 days at the luxurious Grande Luxxe Vidanta. Choose from 7 prime locations. Up to 4 adults and 4 children. Airfare not included.
2nd Prize
Hawks Tickets
2 Chicago Blackhawks Tickets vs. the Florida Panthers
Come witness Coach Q’s return to the UC!
3rd Prize
Chili Serving Kit
One 6-qt. Cast-Iron Dutch Oven with 6 colorful porcelain serving bowls.
Serve your next batch of chili with style!
Join the Team
Volunteers are what make our events so successful. Without you, we couldn’t put on such amazing events. THANK YOU for your time and support. Please consider joining our event staff team to help host another great Chili Cook-Off.
Join the Team
Volunteers are what make our events so successful. Without you, we couldn’t put on such amazing events. THANK YOU for your time and support. Please consider joining our event staff team to help host another great Chili Cook-Off.
Interested in Sponsoring?
Opportunity knocks is built on great partnerships. Connecting with our community through creative alliances is paramount to our mission impact. If you are considering sponsorship as a way to to get involved, please drop us a line here so that we can connect with details.Â
