52nd annual ICS World Championship Chili Cook-off this weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park

Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois will host the 52nd annual World Championship Chili Cook-off this weekend (September 29-30). This marks the first time the world championship will be held in the St. Louis-Metro East region. The event will be held each day from noon to 6 p.m.

Originally founded by automotive and motorsports legend Carroll Shelby, the WCCC  (www.chilicookoff.com)  is one of the most public-friendly competitive cooking events in America. It is the highlight of the year for thousands of cooking teams and countless “chiliheads” who follow the competitions from coast-to-coast in their quest to be crowned the World Champion Chili Cook. These contenders are also cooking for substantial prize money, including $25,000 and $20,000 for the two top cooking categories.

This two-day festival is expected to attract more than 10,000 spectators to Gateway Motorsports Park. Attendees can expect a two-day event packed with chili tasting from more than 300 champion chili cooks and 20 local restaurants, beer tasting of 100 craft brews, four live music performances each day and a professional ACO® cornhole tournament (also class for non-professionals).

Sponsors include BUSH’S® Chili Beans, KSHE-95 + 92.3 (Hubbard Media), Sauce Magazine, Budweiser® CUTCO®, Gaslight Studios, McCarthy Spices, ACO® and Urban Chestnut Brewing Company.

The World Championship Chili Cook-off is produced by ICS Chili, Inc. (International Chili Society), which sanctions nearly 150 cook-offs throughout the year in order to qualify the WCCC contestants who will compete in this weekend’s event. More than $1 million is raised annually through these ICS cook-offs to benefit non-profit organizations nationwide. Since the company’s inception in 1967, close to $92 million has been raised and donated.

52nd annual World Championship Chili Cook-off

September 29-30

Gateway Motorsports Park (700 Raceway Blvd., Madison, Illinois)

Noon to 6 p.m. both days.

Unlimited chili tasting adults: $15.

Unlimited chili tasting children: $5.

10 five-ounce beer samples (must be 21 years of age): $15.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at chilicookoff.com or at the track.

What to expect: 300 champion chili cooks, 100 craft brews, live bands, cornhole tournament.

Link to short video from the 2017 event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2eE7qMxzAc

For more information on ICS Chili Inc., please contact president Scott Toland at [email protected] or (805) 857-5555

For more information on Gateway Motorsports Park, please call (618) 215-8888 or visit www.gatewaymsp.com. Follow GMP on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.

Gateway MSP PR