Cutler Bay's Chili Cook Off Draws Record Crowd

Annual community event celebrates local cuisine and brings residents together.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The 16th annual Chili Cook Off in Cutler Bay, Florida, broke attendance records with over 6,200 people coming out to enjoy free chili, salsa, and cornbread samples, live music, food trucks, and a Kids Zone. The event featured competitions between amateur and professional cooks, with local restaurants, organizations, and teams showcasing their culinary creativity across multiple categories.

Why it matters

The Chili Cook Off has become a signature community event in Cutler Bay, drawing residents, families, and local businesses together to celebrate the town's food, culture, and sense of community. The record-breaking attendance underscores how much this tradition means to the local community.

The details

The Chili Cook Off featured competitions in categories like best chili, salsa, and cornbread, with winners across restaurant, firehouse, and people's choice divisions. Local restaurants, organizations, and teams competed to showcase their culinary skills, with Rodbenders Raw Bar & Grill, Flava Unit, Hanns On, Traveling Tailgater, and The Chili Beautiful among the top winners.

  • The 16th annual Chili Cook Off took place on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
  • The event has been an annual tradition in Cutler Bay for the past 16 years.

The players

Tim Meerbott

The mayor of Cutler Bay, who noted that the Chili Cook Off has become one of the signature gatherings in the town.

Daniella Levine Cava

The Miami-Dade County Mayor, who attended the event.

Danielle Cohen Higgins

The District 8 Commissioner, who served as the presenting sponsor for the event.

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What they’re saying

“This event has become one of the signature gatherings in Cutler Bay. Year after year, we see more people come out to enjoy great food, support local businesses, and spend time together as a community. Breaking attendance records again shows how much this tradition means to our residents.”

— Tim Meerbott, Mayor of Cutler Bay

The takeaway

The Chili Cook Off's continued success and growing popularity underscores the importance of community events that bring residents together, support local businesses, and celebrate the unique culture and cuisine of a town like Cutler Bay.