East Tennesseans love chili.  Red, White, Hot, Mild, with or without beans.

Some like chicken, some like beef, some like a mixture and some go for somethin' wild. For the second year in a row, Second Harvest Food Bank was looking to find the best chili in a whole bunch of categories.

We have a natural partnership with the largest bean maker in the world, Bush Brothers & Company. Their gracious support and unique partnership help make this event a reality. We salute Tom Ferriter, Jim Ethier, Steve Harrison, Jay and Duke and everyone at Bush Bros. for believing in our vision.

Kroger Stores, Cherokee Distributing, Comcast, Regions Bank and a host of other sponsors will join in the fun.

The 2nd Annual East Tennessee Chili Cook-Off featured 28 cooking teams competing for the chili champion crown and a host of fabulous prizes. The Tasting Pass allowed attendees to sample each one of these unique chili recipes. Everyone could enter the free raffle to decide our Audience Choice Award and for a chance to win some great prizes – all just for attending!

Entertainment included live music, prize announcements and our signature event – The Hot Chile Pepper Eating Contest and filled the main stage. Again this year, we got to see who has an iron stomach to tackle the world’s hottest peppers! We made sure there was something for everyone, especially kids!  A Kids FunZone was sponsored by All Occasions Party Rentals, and lots, lots more!

This event raises money for Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. This non-profit organization is dedicated to eliminating hunger in our area through food programs and education. We want to extend a special thank you to all the volunteer staff. Every dollar spent at the East Tennessee Chili Cook-Off goes directly to help Second Harvest feed the hungry in our community. Everyone got to eat lots of chili, enjoy some drinks and help a charity at the same time; we can not think of a better way to enjoy a wonderful fall afternoon.

Second Harvest would like to show our appreciation for the sponsors of the East Tennessee Chili Cook-Off and thank those who donate the financing, products, giveaways and time to make this event a reality. Also, we would like to thank Mayor Haslam, City of Knoxville Special Events Department, Public Building Authority, and the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership / CBID for their backing and support.

We hope you enjoyed the chili cook-off and will join us at the next one. As the city grows and more people embrace our downtown, this event is growing into a Fall tradition in Knoxville.