Great Falls Chili Cook-Off Winners Announced

Local businesses competed in two categories for the coveted title of best chili in Great Falls.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:39pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a steaming hot bowl of chili, conceptually representing the spirited culinary competition and community celebration of the Great Falls Chili Cook-Off.The annual Great Falls Chili Cook-Off celebrates the city's vibrant food culture and community spirit through a friendly competition among local businesses.Great Falls Today

The annual Great Falls Chili Cook-Off took place over the weekend at the Civic Center, drawing chili enthusiasts from across Cascade County. Businesses competed in two categories - Judge's Choice and People's Choice - to determine the best chili recipes in the area. The event featured live music, a lively atmosphere, and plenty of spicy samples for the judges to evaluate.

Why it matters

The Chili Cook-Off is a long-standing tradition in Great Falls that brings the community together around a shared love of good food. The event highlights local businesses and their culinary talents, while also providing a fun social gathering for residents. The results of the cook-off are highly anticipated each year.

The details

Participating businesses included Electric City Catering, Clark & Lewie's, Texas Roadhouse, Tracy's, Spices & Spurs, Wild Hare, Black Eagle Community Center, and Magpie. Judges evaluated the chili recipes based on factors like flavor, spice balance, meat-to-bean ratio, and overall taste. The event also featured live music from the band F-Bomb, playing a mix of early 2000s pop-punk hits.

  • The Chili Cook-Off took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the Great Falls Civic Center.
  • The winners were announced at the conclusion of the event.

The players

Chris C.

A first-time judge at the Great Falls Chili Cook-Off, who shared his impressions of the event and the judging process.

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What they’re saying

“As judges, we didn't really have a baseline criterion, but we did deliberate quite a bit about our decisions because of our vastly different palettes.”

— Chris C., Chili Cook-Off Judge

The takeaway

The Great Falls Chili Cook-Off continues to be a beloved community event that showcases the culinary talents of local businesses. The judges' careful deliberation and diverse palettes ensure a fair and exciting competition, making the results highly anticipated each year.