ChiliFest is an annual chili-cooking competition that takes place every October in South Bethlehem!
Our local restaurants and businesses compete to win your vote in hopes of capturing a coveted glass chili pepper trophy, handmade by ArtsQuest's Glass Blowing Studio.
Two prizes are awarded each year for the following categories:
People's Choice Chili
Judge's Choice Chili
In 2023, ChiliFest voters crowned The Marquee Kitchen's Smokey Beef Roja chili as the People's Choice Chili Winner.
The celebrity judging panel, Christina Russo of Lehigh Valley Food Magazine & Podcast, Blakely McHugh of WFMZ's Channel 69 News, and Andrea DeJesus of A-List Salon crowned Northampton County Community College's Culinary Department students' Pork Belly Sofrito chili with Cool Ranch Dorito aioli as the Celebrity Judge's Choice Winner.
The Marquee Kitchen will return in 2024 to defend their winning title alongside their partners at Rise Above Hair Studio in South Bethlehem.
CHILIFEST 2024
ChiliFest 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, October 19 from 12-4 PM, with winners announced at 4:30 PM outside of Molly's Irish Grille & Sports Pub.
Tickets
$35 per person
Includes access to all chili trail stops + the 2024 commemorative chili spoon
Support the Bethlehem Parking Authority's Food Drive for Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley & Park For Free at ChiliFest
Bring a non-perishable food item to the SouthSide Arts District Main Office when you come to pick up your ChiliFest tickets. Your donation will support the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley's Food Pantry, and you'll receive a full day of parking validation to the parking garage of your choice! Use your validation on the day of the festival or save it for later. One validation per customer.
Donation Drop-off Location & Ticket Office
324 S. New Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Top Items Needed
Canned protein (Tuna or Chicken)
Cereal
Vegetable Oil
Pancake Mix
Mashed Potato Mix
2024 Celebrity Judging Panel
2024 Trail Map & Teams
Each team on the chili trail will offer a sample-sized serving of their unique chili recipe. Sample them all, and then vote for your favorite! Check out this year's participating teams and locations.
Hover over each team's tile to see details about their chili.
The Marquee Kitchen at Rise Above Hair Studio
Locally sourced smoked beef chili with moderate spiciness.
Meat-based. Gluten-free.
Wonder Kitchen at Godfrey Daniel's
Pork chili inspired by the flavors of Asia. Mild spice for maximum enjoyment. Meat based. Contains wheat and soy.
Molly's Irish Grille & Sports Pub
Chorizo Campus Chili. A little spicy. Guaranteed to satisfy! Meat-based. Contains gluten.
La Lupita
Chili info coming soon!
Sotto Santi Restaurant
Semi-spicy beef & bean chili. Shredded cheese as optional topping. Meat-based. Gluten free
Roasted
Smoky guajillo and chipotle pepper chili. Moderately spicy Sour cream and cheese optional. Meat based, vegetarian, and gluten free options available.
Essentials Cafe at Five Maidens Cider Co.
Black bean beef chili has rich tomato base Smokey notes and mildly spicy. Meat-based. Gluten free.
The Nest Bar & Grille
Classic beef chili with both sweet & savory notes. Mild heat. Meat based. Contains gluten. Cheese & sour cream optional.
Country Club Brewing
Smokey ground brisket chili. Moderately spicy. Meat-based. Gluten free.
Social Still Distillery
Smokey beef chili. Mildly spicy. Meat-based. Contains dairy. Gluten-free option available.
Mister Lee's Noodles
Bulgogi chili accompanied by cheese mochi, sesame sour cream, wasabi, and avocado guacamole. Gluten free. Mild spice.
El Jefe's Taqueria
Moderately spicy chili. Optional toppings of cheese & sour cream. Meat-based. Gluten free option available.
Northampton Community College
Mildly spicy ground turkey chili! Hot sauce, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and tortilla strip toppings optional. Meat-based.
Playa Bowls
Tropical Chili! Notes of pineapple and brown sugar. Optional topping of cheddar cheese. Meat-based. Gluten free.
Flavor Nation Food Truck at Colony Meadery
Quad-Meat Weyerbacher Beer Chili. 4 kinds of meats and beans. Notes of smoke, beer, mild spice. Optional hot sauce topping. Meat-based. Vegetarian, and gluten free options available.
F&A Grog House
Southwest style creamy white chicken chili. Made with cream cheese, corn, beans and a blend of spices. Gluten free. Contains dairy.
Zest
"Zesty" smoked brisket chili topped with house made jalapeno cornbread, cilantro crema, and cheese! Meat-based. Contains gluten and dairy.
2024 Trail Map & Teams
We recommend parking in the South New St. Garage, located at 324 S. New St, Bethlehem PA 18015. The SouthSide Arts District Office is located next to the entrance of the garage on S. New Street.
Parking is also available at the Polk Street Garage located at 418 PA-412, Bethlehem, PA 18015. If you have already picked up your tickets, you can park in this garage to be close to most of the tasting locations.