The Chili Cook-Off is BACK for its 19th year on Saturday, February 21 2026, from 4:30 - 8pm! Sample the best chili from local eateries. They bring the heat. We bring the bowls. You be the judge! Help determine who has the best chili in Rochester while enjoying the tastiest charity event of the season. Each ticket holder will receive a hand-made chili bowl (valued at $25 - $100) to take home!
Tickets pre-ordered online are $40 for individual members, $50 for individual non-members. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $45 individual members + $55 individual non-members, and $15 for a youth under 18 - Free entry to children under 10 + chili bowl included.
NOTE: Online ticket sales close at 3pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026
Want your business to sponsor one of the most delicious events in Rochester? Please reach out to Development Director Joe Mangano via email at jmangano@flowercityarts.org or at 585-244-1730 ext. 9
Conveniently located off the I-490 Monroe Ave Exit and on RTS Bus Route Monroe 11L, Flower City Arts Center is located in a historic brick firehouse building dating to the early 1890s.
Free on-street parking is available on Monroe Avenue, Wilcox Street, and surrounding streets. Parking is also available across the street in the Blessed Sacrament Church lot (please cross at the crosswalk).
Flower City Arts Center is fully accessible for wheelchair users with a reserved parking space at the front of the building, a front entrance ramp, an elevator, and gender-neutral restrooms.
Are you a restaurant interested in participating? Please email Marketing & Communications Coordinator Jordan Moss at jmoss@flowercityarts.org or call us at 585-244-1730.
Want to help us out? Get signed up to volunteer today! All volunteers can attend and eat free of charge (a ticket must be purchased to receive a hand-made bowl and beverage ticket).
Want your business to sponsor one of the most delicious events in Rochester? Please contact our Development Director Joe Mangano via email at jmangano@flowercityarts.org or at 585-244-1730 ext. 9