Old Towne Orange Chili Cook Off
The summer sun will soon be upon us, but it won’t be the only thing bringing the heat to Orange. Contestants from across the country are preparing to put their skills to the test at the third annual Old Towne Orange Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, June 20. What began as a tribute to a father has quickly grown into one of the largest International Chili Society-sanctioned (ICS) competitions west of the Mississippi. Beyond the food and friendly competition, the event has become a true community gathering, bringing families and neighbors together for great food and a great time.
Jen Gonzalez knew she wanted to honor her father in a meaningful way. Steve Porter, a longtime chili enthusiast, served as a chief judge for the World Championship Chili Cook-Off for 12 years and was involved with the ICS for more than three decades.
“When he passed away, I knew I wanted to have a chili cook-off in his honor,” says Gonzalez, Special Events Coordinator for Chapman Crafted Beer.
She now carries that legacy forward in Orange, bringing together competitors from across the country through relationships built over a lifetime in the chili cook-off world. The event is about more than food—it’s a way to honor her father’s memory through community and charity.
That sense of community has drawn in local partners, including the Rotary Club of Orange, which has worked with Gonzalez and Chapman Crafted since the event’s humble beginnings in a parking lot. Now in its third year, the cook-off continues to grow with the club’s support.
This year’s event will feature two divisions: the ICS competition—often described as “not-your-mamas-chili”—for seasoned cooks, and a new community division designed to broaden participation. With fewer rules and more creative freedom, the community category invites everyone from local businesses to home cooks that want to put their favorite chili recipe to the test. Attendees can purchase tasting tickets and sample a wide range of chilis, voting for their favorites while knowing the proceeds go back into the community.
“They’re not something you can buy at the store.” says Jim Gilmore, past President of the Rotary Club of Orange. “The quality of the chili handed out at the event is just phenomenal.”
From the beginning, Gilmore said the goal was to offer more than amazing flavors. The Rotary also wanted to create a space where people could gather, have fun and connect, something Gilmore says reflects the organization’s broader mission. From supporting food and housing initiatives to investing in youth and education, the Rotary Club of Orange works to give back locally.
“Everyone was happy to be at the cook off,” says Evelyn Schmitt, an Orange resident who attended last year’s event with her father. She said they enjoyed the live music, sampling different chilis and the personal touch of being served by the cooks who created the chilis themselves.
Expecting a larger turnout than in previous years, the Old Towne Orange Chili Cook-Off will be held at 123 North Cypress St. Opening ceremonies begin at 10 am, with tastings running from 11 am to 3 pm.
As the event continues to grow, organizers say there is still time for those interested in competing, sponsoring or judging to get involved, with opportunities open to local businesses, home cooks and community members alike. For Gonzalez, however, the event’s success is measured less in numbers and more in the atmosphere it creates.
“Last year, it was such an honor to see everyone having a good time,” she says. “To me that’s success, and I know my dad would be so incredibly proud.”
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Those interested can contact organizers at OTOChiliCookOff@gmail.com for more information and also check out @OrangeRotary for updates and information on how to get involved in the community. You can also find out more about the event on Instagram: @OTOChiliCookOff
