By Tabitha Evans Moore
Editor & Publisher

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — Lynchburg has long had a knack for turning food into a competitive art form. It started back in 1989 with the first Jack Daniel World Championship Invitational Barbecue — now widely known in the barbecue world as the Super Bowl of Barbecue. In 2023, the Lynchburg Chamber added an official Steak Cook-Off Association-sanctioned event to Frontier Days. And now, in 2026, chili enters the ring.

On Saturday, April 25, Lynchburg will host its first-ever It’s Still Chili International Chili Society Cook-Off during Spring in the Hollow — a name that winks at Tennessee’s famously unpredictable spring weather. The event is fully ICS-sanctioned and carries extra weight this year: it also serves as the Tennessee State Championship, meaning winners will earn a spot at the ICS World Championship Chili Cook-Off held each fall, where category champions take home the title of World Champion and a share of $100,000 in combined prize money.

The Great Chili Debate

For as long as there’s been chili in America, there’s been an argument about beans. To satisfy both sides of the divide, the Lynchburg cook-off will feature two main categories: Traditional Red, made without beans, and Homestyle with Jack — made with beans and, naturally, a splash of local product.

Prize money in the Traditional Red category goes $500 for first, $250 for second, $100 for third, $50 for fourth, and $25 for fifth. The Homestyle with Jack category pays out $400, $200, $100, $50, and $25 for the top five finishers.

Entry is $35 for one category or $50 to enter both. There’s also a Kid’s Cook category for just $10, and a free Jack Daniel’s Squire’s Only category (limited to 20 participants). All proceeds benefit the Lynchburg Chamber and will go toward hosting future events.

Contest details, official rules, and a list of approved ICS equipment are available on the Chamber’s website by clicking here. Looking for inspiration? Past ICS World Champion recipes are posted at chilicookoff.com. Taster tickets for just $5 will also be available for purchase the day of the event or in advance by clicking here.

For up-to-the-event updates, follow the Lynchburg Chamber on Facebook. •

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