Cincinnati is going to be painfully cold this week, so it’s the perfect time to warm up with some delicious chili at Findlay Market’s annual Chili Fest, which will also be featuring the return of a special event this year.
The ticketed Chili Fest Tasting is happening Sunday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and this year will feature samples from more than 30 Findlay Market merchants, as well as a hot sauce competition, a canned food drive, split-the-pot and the “Hot Pepper Hideout,” where guests can try to find a chili pepper hidden in select merchants’ spaces. If you find one, tell the merchant, who will give you a pepper to turn into staff at the ticket tent. You can win prizes like eight free tickets to Sweet & Savory Stroll, a free drink at Jane’s, Findlay Market merch and more.
The tasting event will include chili-themed food and drinks, ranging from spicy-sweet offerings like Eliza Jane Bakeshop’s Spicy Mocha Tres Leches and Makers Bakers Co.’s Mango Habanero Cheesecake to more traditional fare like Neil Luken Meats’ Damn Good Chili, Dats Ole School Cookin’s Chicken Chili and Veggie Chili and The Rhined’s Chili Mac. There’s even something for your pup to try — Pet Wants will be offering a chili-themed dog treat. See the full list of vendors and their samples here.
Each ticket you purchase gets you one sample. Tickets are eight for $20 or 18 for $40. You can buy those here.
And returning after a five-year hiatus is the crowd-favorite Amateur Public Chili Cookoff. That will take place Saturday, Jan. 11 from 2-3 p.m. at the Findlay Market Farm Shed. You can enter your best chili recipe here for a chance to win one of the top three prizes.
Contestants also must use at least three ingredients from Findlay Market in their recipe. The chili will be judged on overall flavor, texture, use of Findlay Market ingredients, creativity and aroma. While the cookoff is open to the public, only 20 contestants will be selected. The public is also welcome to try free samples of the chilis and vote on a Crowd Favorite award.
On Sunday, Chili Fest will also have live music from Tracy Walker from noon to 3 p.m. at Jane’s bar.
Findlay Market, 1801 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. More info: findlaymarket.org.
This article appears in Jan 10-23, 2024.
