The temperature may not have been very “chilly” in Traverse City during a fundraising event this morning, but there was still plenty of chili to go around at the 16th annual Downtown Chili Cook-Off.

The event took place at the Park Place Dome in Downtown Traverse City.
Fifteen area restaurants entered 20 different chilies in the annual Chili Cook-Off.  The eateries competed in eight different categories as well competing for a “People’s Choice” award.  Categories included 1-Alarm, 2-Alarm, 3-Alarm, Ethnic, Seafood, Vegetarian, No Bean and White.

Approximately 1,800 people attended the cook-off, with each casting a vote for their favorites in each category. All proceeds from the event help support such Downtown community activities as Friday Night Live, the Halloween walk, holiday activities and many other free downtown events throughout the year.

This year’s Chili Cookoff winners can be seen below; for more information about the events the cookoff supported you can call (231) 922-2050.       

·      1-Alarm – Schelde’s Grille & Spirits
·      2-Alarm –  Lil Bo Pub & Grille
·      3-Alarm- Freshwater Lodge
·      Ethnic – Travino Wine & Grille
·      Seafood – Scalawags Whitefish & Chips
·      Vegetarian – Travino Wine & Grille
·      White – Minervas
·      No Bean – Schelde’s Grille & Spirits
·      People’s Choice – Minervas White Chili
Competing restaurants included:
·      Blue Tractor Cook Shop
·      Catch Island Grill
·      Cherry Republic
·      Freshwater Lodge
·      Lil Bo Pub & Grille
·      Minervas: Park Place Hotel
·      Mt. Holiday
·      Omelette Shoppe
·      Oryana: Lake St. Kitchen
·      Red Ginger
·      Scalawags Whitefish & Chips
·      Schelde’s Grille & Spirits
·      Serenity Tea Bar & Cafe
·      Slabtown Burgers & Cafe
·      Travino Wine & Grille