On January 16, Downtown Traverse City will be hosting their annual Chili Cook-Off event. Participants in the event will be able to sample some of our area’s top restaurants as they compete for awards in various categories.  Northern Michigan’s ultimate chili challenge takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Park Place Dome in Downtown Traverse City.

The Chili Cook-off attracted over 1,200 participants 2009, who sampled the many chilies and voted for their favorites. Area restaurants will be cooking up their special recipes as they compete in eight different categories – 1, 2 and 3-alarm, white, vegetarian, no bean, seafood and ethnic as well as a coveted “people’s choice” award.  The event will also be feature two organic chilies.

Chili lovers can choose a sampler of eight chilies for $8 or single bowls of their favorites for $4. All proceeds from the event help support downtown community activities as Friday Night Live, the Halloween walk, the Downtown Art Walk, holiday activities and many other free downtown events throughout the year. For more information or to volunteer, call the DTCA office at (231) 922-2050