Brewers Beach was ablaze this past Sunday, and not just because of the temperature! The island’s best chili chefs turned up the heat with a wide array of delicious chili recipes for attendees to sample over the course of the afternoon at the 2024 VI Chili Cook Off.
The annual event, which has been on hiatus since 2019, returned this year with over 15 teams vying for recognition in a range of categories. From vegetarian chili to ground beef and smoked brisket, contestants went all out to showcase their creativity.
This year’s Grand Champion Award went to Team Wolf! Other key award categories included the coveted People’s Choice Award, with first place going to Team Eric and Erin, followed by Team Wolf and An Hour Late. First place for the Judge’s Choice Meat Chili went to Team Wolf, followed by Nomads and Dive Bar and Grill. For the Judge’s Choice Vegetarian/Vegan selection, Vegan VI took first place, followed by team Eric and Erin in second place. Team Wolf was also highlighted for Best Salsa and Best Booth and Broken Plate received the Best Appetizer Award.
Judges for the event included local chefs, food critics, and chili enthusiasts, all of whom had the challenging task of selecting the standout recipes. Criteria for judging ranged from taste and texture to originality and presentation.
“The event was not only a showcase of culinary excellence but also a very important fundraiser for St. Thomas Rescue,” noted Chris Watson, event organizer and CEO of Tropical Adventure Group. “We are immensely grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, and participants who made this year’s event possible. Their support was instrumental in creating an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie.”
Chili sampling wasn’t the only fun activity, however! As part of the day’s events, attendees participated in exciting games like Tug of War, where host Booka Comedy hilariously narrated the battle as team members toppled into the sand one by one. Additionally, a solid lineup of bands and DJs kept the afternoon atmosphere upbeat and energetic.
“I’m having a ball! I just finished participating in Tug of War, so now I’ve really got an appetite,” shared Megan Wise, a first-time Chili Cook Off attendee. “We love chili, so we’ve been looking forward to this event for a while, but it’s also a nice way for us to meet new
people, have fun and support a great cause. We will be back next year!”
Proceeds from this year’s Chili Cook Off will go towards St. Thomas Rescue, whose mission is to provide emergency medical services and rescue operations across the island.
“The success of the 2024 VI Chili Cook Off underscores the incredible talent and enthusiasm within our community. We look forward to building on this year’s achievements and making the 2025 event even bigger and better,” shared Watson. “Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this year’s cook-off a memorable occasion. We can’t wait
to see you next year!”
