Chili Cook-Off

United Way of the Flint Hills First Annual Chili Cook-Off

Come hungry and join us for a night of chili, cinnamon rolls, and community fun!

Join United Way of the Flint Hills for our First Annual Chili Cook-Off on Friday, December 5, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. downtown Emporia!

Come sample delicious chili and cinnamon rolls from our competing teams, then cast your vote for your favorites! We’ll have one People’s Choice Award winner for chili and one for cinnamon rolls. Who will take home the bragging rights?

 Get Your Tickets!

One ticket. Lots of chili. Delicious cinnamon rolls. A whole lot of community!

  • Advance tickets: $7

  • Tickets at the door: $10

    To order tickets, call 620-342-7564 or email kayla@uwfh.org 

Save by purchasing your tickets in advance! All ticket sales are final. No refunds.

Tickets purchased today will be available for pickup at the front of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 5th.

Bring your appetite, bring your friends, and help us make our first Chili Cook-Off a fun new community tradition. We can’t wait to see you there!

 

 

Want to Participate in the United Way of the Flint Hills Chili Cook-Off?

We’d love to have you join us! If you’re interested in participating in our first annual Chili Cook-Off, please fill out the form below. You’ll find all the information you need to get involved.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

2026 Chili Cook-Off Participant's Guide

Event Details:

Friday, December 4, 2026

5:30PM - 7:00 PM

Inside & Outside

719 Commercial St. Emporia

 

What You’ll Need to Bring:

6-8 gallons of chili (ready to serve & kept warm)

Method to keep chili hot (limited electricity available - 50' 12
gauge extension cords required)

Booth Setup: Table, Hand Sanitizer, Decor, Signage,
Donation Jar

Two Volunteers to serve chili/Cinnamon Rolls

 

Cinnamon Roll Challenge:

Bring bite-sized portions to serve with chili

Provide separate donation jar

 

Promote Your Booth:

Get the word out! Share event and booth information on social media!

 

Day of Schedule:

4:00PM - Booth setup begins (check-in at Chamber of Commerce entrance)

5:15 PM - Temp Check (Chili must be 160F to serve

5:30PM - Doors Open! Serve 2-oz samples

6:30PM - Donation Jars collected

6:45PM - People’s Choice Winners announced

7:00PM - Booth teardown

 

Event Rules:

  • Chili must be the STAR! (red, white, vegan, meaty – all welcome!)
  • Arrive hot and ready to serve
  • No excessive noise or disruption to neighbors
  • Approved toppings: cheese, onions, crackers, jalapenos (no hot dogs!)
  • No selling or handing our items of monetary value (to ensure fairness)

 

Contact Info:

Email: whitney@uwfh.org

Call: (620) 342-7564

 

Chili Cook-Off Checklist

☐ 6-8 gallons of chili, fully cooked and hot

☐ Method to keep chili warm (cord or other)

☐ Booth décor, signage, and donation jar

☐ Hand sanitizer, gloves and other booth materials

☐ Cinnamon Roll Challenge supplies + extra donation jar (if entering)

☐ 2 volunteers to serve

☐ 50’ extension cord if using electricity

 

Chili Cook-Off Registration

Chili Cook-Off Category (check one)
$25 by Novermber 15
no charge
no charge

Cinnamon Roll Challenge Registration

Cinnamon Roll Challenge Category (check one)
$25 by November 15
no charge
no charge
Select all that apply

Confirmation & Certification

Please agree to the participant's guide before registering your team. 

Event Details:

Friday, December 4, 2026

5:30PM - 7:00 PM

Inside & Outside

719 Commercial St. Emporia

 

What You’ll Need to Bring:

6-8 gallons of chili (ready to serve & kept warm)

Method to keep chili hot (limited electricity available - 50' 12
gauge extension cords required)

Booth Setup: Table, Hand Sanitizer, Decor, Signage,
Donation Jar

Two Volunteers to serve chili/Cinnamon Rolls

 

Cinnamon Roll Challenge:

Bring bite-sized portions to serve with chili

Provide separate donation jar

 

Promote Your Booth:

Get the word out! Share event and booth information on social media!

 

Day of Schedule:

4:00PM - Booth setup begins (check-in at Chamber of Commerce entrance)

5:15 PM - Temp Check (Chili must be 160F to serve

5:30PM - Doors Open! Serve 2-oz samples

6:30PM - Donation Jars collected

6:45PM - People’s Choice Winners announced

7:00PM - Booth teardown

 

Event Rules:

  • Chili must be the STAR! (red, white, vegan, meaty – all welcome!)
  • Arrive hot and ready to serve
  • No excessive noise or disruption to neighbors
  • Approved toppings: cheese, onions, crackers, jalapenos (no hot dogs!)
  • No selling or handing our items of monetary value (to ensure fairness)

 

Contact Info:

Email: whitney@uwfh.org

Call: (620) 342-7564

 

Chili Cook-Off Checklist

☐ 6-8 gallons of chili, fully cooked and hot

☐ Method to keep chili warm (cord or other)

☐ Booth décor, signage, and donation jar

☐ Hand sanitizer, gloves and other booth materials

☐ Cinnamon Roll Challenge supplies + extra donation jar (if entering)

☐ 2 volunteers to serve

☐ 50’ extension cord if using electricity
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