Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cookoff 2026

The Carmel Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the return of one of Carmel Valley’s most beloved culinary traditions—the Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cook-Off! 🌶️✨

Join us for a fiery, flavorful afternoon filled with local chefs, bold flavors, refreshing margaritas, live music, and a little friendly competition.

What’s Cooking

• 🌶 Pro & Amateur Chili Competition — Who will bring the heat and claim chili champion bragging rights?

• 🍹 Margarita Contest — Sip, sample, and vote for your favorite! 

• 🎶 Live Music & Entertainment — Taste, toast, and groove all afternoon

​NEW FOR 2026: The Lodge at Pebble Beach Executive Chef's Choice Award

We're thrilled to introduce a new culinary honor to this year's Great Bowls of Fire!

Presented by The Lodge at Pebble Beach, the Executive Chef's Choice Award will recognize one outstanding chili and one exceptional margarita, personally selected by Executive Chef Benjamin Brown.


For more than three decades, Chef Brown has called the kitchens of Pebble Beach Resorts home, leading the celebrated dining experiences at The Lodge, including Stillwater Bar & Grill, The Tap Room, The Bench, and Hay's Place. His expertise, creativity, and commitment to culinary excellence make this one of the event's most prestigious honors.

Think your recipe has what it takes? Bring your best flavors, your signature style, and compete for the inaugural The Lodge at Pebble Beach Executive Chef's Choice Award. 🌶️🍹

How to Participate as a Competitor

Think you’ve got the best chili in town or the most magical margarita? Prove it!

• Chamber Members: $125

• Non-Members: $175

Each entry includes:

• One 6’ table with black linen and signage

• Tasting cups, napkins, spoons, and paper goods (provided by the Chamber)

• Two General Admission tickets to the event

• Margarita contest entries include cups & ice

Competition Requirements:

• Chili Competitors: Chili must be prepared in advance (offsite); Must be served hot from a self-contained heating source; Must provide minimum 4 gallons for sampling.
• Margarita Competitors: Margaritas must be made onsite;  Must provide self-contained setup (tabletop bar, tools, ingredients); Alcohol must comply with all ABC/event regulations; Must provide minimum 3 gallons equivalent for sampling.
• All business entries must submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI). Email to kati@carmelchamber.org or mail to Carmel Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 4444, Carmel by-the-Sea, CA 93921.
• ​Entry Deadline: July 1, 2026

Why Enter?

Compete for bragging rights, prizes, and the coveted awards:

• 🏆 Best Professional Chili

• 🏆 Best Amateur Chili

• 🏆 Best Margarita

Every competitor will serve up samples to both our hungry guests and a panel of judges. Bring your best flavor, secret ingredients, or spicy twist—and wow the crowd!