The Inland Empire is no stranger to International Chili Society chili cookoffs.
San Bernardino has hosted the state championship a time or two.
This weekend, Palm Springs will be hosting the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday (October 11 to 13) at the Spa Resort Casino, 401 E. Amado Road.
Participants will be competing for nearly $45,000 in prize money, with the top prize — for best chili — garnering $25,000.
Other prizes include best chili verde, best salsa and best homestyle chili.
There will also be divisions for restaurants and military/public service.
In addition to the chili contests, there will be competitions for Shoot-n-Holler, Miss Chili Pepper and Mr. Hot Sauce.
If chili’s not quite your thing, the event will also feature a few food trucks (Cruising Cones, Krave Fusion, Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice and Suite 106 Cupcakery), plus local food vendors, including Alicante Spanish Mediterranean Cuisine, Cali Pop, E & E Pel’s, Las Casuelas Terraza, Woody’s Burgers and Zin American Bistro.
Attendees will be entertained by a variety of live bands daily.
Celebrity judges include Ruta Lee, Fred Williamson and Trini Lopez.
General admission tickets are $15 per day, which includes two tasting tickets and $10 in casino free play. Additional tasting tickets can be purchased for $1, with discounts for multiples.
V.I.P. admission tickets, which include 25 tasting tickets, access to the V.I.P. Lounge (with premium food and liquor tastings), a commemorative apron and $10 in casino free play, are $50 per day.
Kids 12 and under are admitted free.
Proceeds from the event will benefit three local charities: Mizell Senior Center, Pegasus Riding Academy and the Palm Springs USO.