LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. — Come hungry and ready to vote. The South Shore Chili Cook Off takes over Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., bringing together local restaurants, first responders and the community for an afternoon built around great chili and giving back.

While chili cook-offs have been part of South Shore’s event history, the inaugural South Shore Chili Cook Off introduces a new format centered on the first responders and public safety professionals who serve the Tahoe Basin. Twelve restaurant and agency teams are creating their own chili recipes, each competing for attendee votes while raising money for a cause important to their team.

“This event has really come to life through the teams,” said Jessica Grime, president & CEO of the Tahoe Chamber. “Our restaurants and first responders have been getting together in the kitchen, creating their recipes and building some friendly competition along the way. On Saturday, the community gets to be part of it; come taste the chili, vote for your favorite team and help us raise money for organizations doing meaningful work locally and beyond.”

Every ticket holder gets a vote. Guests can sample chili from all 12 teams before casting their People’s Choice vote for South Shore’s Best Chili.

Each team is also cooking for a cause:

  • Himmel Haus + El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office – Benefiting the El Dorado County Sheriff’s K-9 Association
  • McP’s Taphouse Grill + South Lake Tahoe Police Department – Benefiting Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
  • The Woods Restaurant + South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue – Benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
  • AleWorX + Lake Valley Fire Protection District – Supporting the family of fallen Fire Engineer Neil Schnaible
  • South of North Brewing Co. + CalTahoe – Benefiting Bread & Broth for Kids
  • Tahoe Bagel Co. + Care Flight – Benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe
  • LTCC Culinary Arts + LTCC Forestry, Fire & Public Safety Program – Benefiting the LTCC Foundation 
  • Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe + CAL-REACH – Beneficiary to be announced
  • Fox & Hound Smokehouse Grill & Bar + Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District – Benefiting the Wildland Firefighter Foundation
  • California Conservation Corps + California Conservation Corps – Benefiting the CCC Foundation
  • Bruschetta + Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – Benefiting the Kahle Community Center
  • Cali Burger + California Highway Patrol – South Lake Tahoe – Benefiting the CHP 11-99 Foundation

The team earning the most People’s Choice votes will take home the title of South Shore’s Best Chili, and its beneficiary will receive the largest share of charitable proceeds. The remaining participating beneficiaries will also receive a portion of funds raised.

That means every additional ticket helps increase the overall amount available to give back. Attendees can support a favorite restaurant, first responder agency or charitable cause simply by showing up, sampling the chili and casting their vote.

More Than Chili

There will be plenty happening between tastings. Local band Bread & Butter will perform live throughout the afternoon, while the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit will provide demonstrations and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District will have a fire engine on display, giving families an opportunity to meet some of the first responders participating in the event.

Guests can also shop from a collection of local artisans and makers, including Lake Tahoe Hat Bar, Amber Moon Boutique, Arochti Art, A Traveler Sage Jewelry, Truckee Hot Sauce and Will Eichelberger Art.

The result is an easy Saturday outing for the whole family: grab a bowl, explore the vendors, listen to live music, check out the first responder displays and decide which team deserves the trophy.

Bring a Toy, Too

The giving continues beyond the competition. Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Drive, adding another way for attendees to support children and families as the holiday season approaches.

Make It a Fall Weekend on the South Shore

For visitors, the Chili Cook Off offers another reason to spend an October weekend at Lake Tahoe. Fall brings changing colors, cooler mountain days and a quieter pace to the South Shore, with time to enjoy local dining, recreation and businesses before and after Saturday’s event.

Special lodging offers from select South Shore properties are available through the event website for those looking to turn the Cook Off into a weekend getaway.

Guests are encouraged to consider alternatives to driving to the event. Free bike valet will be provided by the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, and Lake Link, South Shore’s free on-demand microtransit service, is another option for getting around.

Event Details

South Shore Chili Cook Off

Saturday, October 17, 2026

11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe

Admission includes unlimited chili tastings, People’s Choice voting and live music by Bread & Butter.

Tickets and complete event information, including lodging offers, are available at:

tahoechamber.org/south-shore-chili-cook-off

The event will be held rain or shine. Ticket sales are final and non-refundable.