Belleville

Here are the winners for this year’s Belleville Chili Cook-off

The crowd at the annual Belleville, Ill. Chili Cook-off on the opening night, Oct. 11.
The crowd at the annual Belleville, Ill. Chili Cook-off on the opening night, Oct. 11. Belleville News-Democrat

For the second year in a row, Truman’s Best won the coveted People’s Choice Award for the chili it served in downtown Belleville Friday and Saturday at the 40th annual Belleville Chili Cook-off.

The award goes to the chili vendor who receives the most votes from festival attendees, who pay $1 per vote for their favorite chili. Proceeds raised by the voting go to the Community Interfaith Food Pantry. There were 48 vendors participating in the cook-off this year.

Professional judges determine the winners for the two other categories, one for vendors that are restaurants or caterers and another for vendors that are not.

A bowl of chili prepared by the Belleville Running Club, which placed second in the category of ‘best nonprofit.’
A bowl of chili prepared by the Belleville Running Club, which placed second in the category of ‘best nonprofit.’ Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

Restaurant/caterer category:

  1. Mi Hungry BBQ
  2. Copper Fire
  3. The EDGE

Non-restaurant category:

  1. Truman’s Best
  2. Belleville Running Club
  3. Emmanuel Church
A member of Truman’s Best chili cook-off team goes to accept the award of ‘best nonprofit’ at the 2024 Belleville chili cook-off. Truman’s best went on to win the much-coveted people’s choice award.
A member of Truman’s Best chili cook-off team goes to accept the award of ‘best nonprofit’ at the 2024 Belleville chili cook-off. Truman’s best went on to win the much-coveted people’s choice award. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

The chili cook-off is one of Belleville’s most popular festivals, with thousands of people attending. It is held annually around Public Square and along East Main Street in early October.

A member of Beast BBQ’s staff stirs chili during the 2024 Belleville, Ill. Chili Cook-off.
A member of Beast BBQ’s staff stirs chili during the 2024 Belleville, Ill. Chili Cook-off. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat

This story was originally published October 12, 2024 at 6:41 PM.

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