Wheeling Feeling Chili Cook-off

Chief Judge Brian Warmuth
Head Scorekeeper Rosemary Warmuth & Kozicki , Gwynn & Tickerhoof, CPA Firm 

Event Hours 12 noon – 5pm
Chili Tasting from 12 noon – 5pm
$1 for 2 samples

Come enjoy a day at Wheeling’s beautiful Heritage Port, located on the scenic Ohio River’s edge, overlooking the Historic Suspension Bridge in downtown Wheeling. There will be a children’s area, craft vendors, live music and various foods and beverages. Give your tastebuds a treat by sampling the chili and then voting for your favorite. They’ll be judging of Best Booth, Rookie, Best of Wheeling and Miss Hot Pepper and Mr Hot Sauce.  

You must be an ICS Member to compete. Entry fees are separate per category (i.e. Red, Homestyle, Verde, etc.) and will be collected independently by the Cook-off Organizer. Please contact the organizer (info at top) for more information.

• 10x10 space provided
• Canopy/tent, table & chairs will be provided, cooks only need to bring supplies
• Ice and Electric hook-ups are available on site
• Minimal access to electricity
• Cooks receive t-shirts and goodie bags
• Free parking in municipal garage near venue

Along with monetary prizes, there are trophies for Showmanship, People's Choice, and more.

A cooks party on Friday evening is being planned at the Wesbanco Arena Rear Patio from 6:30pm - 9pm. Music, beer/wine and food will be available.

Schedule for Saturday, June 6, 2026

8:00 a.m.          Registration & Site Opens to Cooks

10:00 a.m.         Site closed to Traffic.    

10:30 a.m.        ICS Chili Verde and ICS Veggie Chili Stove Lighting and Commercial/Media Stove Lighting

11:00 a.m.        Homestyle Stove Lighting  

11:30 a.m.        ICS Red Chili Stove Lighting 

NOON             Site Opens to the Public

12:30 p.m.        Restaurant/Commercial Cooks Chili Judging samples submitted. 

1:00 p.m.          Veggie Chili Judging samples submitted.

1:30 p.m.          ICS Chili Verde Judging samples submitted.

2:30 p.m.          ICS Homestyle Judging samples submitted

3:30 p.m.          ICS Red Chili Judging samples submitted.

5:00 p.m.          Awards Ceremony

 

ALL CONTESTANTS must prepare TWO gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC) or FIVE gallons of People’s Choice chili (PC) in lieu of all entry fees

Please note that the # of gallons of PC is per cook, not per category 

United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley City of Wheeling