7 North Carolina Chili Cook-Offs Where The Heat Meets Sweet BBQ
Y’all, I’ve been hitting the North Carolina chili circuit for years now, and let me tell you – nothing beats the unique fusion of fiery chili and sweet Carolina BBQ flavors!
These cook-offs bring together the best of both worlds: competitive chili masters and pitmasters showing off their skills.
From mountain towns to coastal communities, these events celebrate our state’s diverse culinary traditions while bringing communities together over steaming bowls of goodness.
1. Lexington Barbecue Festival’s Red-Hot Chili Showdown
The aroma hit me like a freight train the first time I wandered into the chili tent at the Lexington Barbecue Festival. Competing pitmasters blend their signature BBQ techniques with traditional chili recipes, creating something truly magical.
Held every October when the leaves paint the Piedmont in fiery colors, this competition draws over 30 teams battling for the coveted Golden Ladle. What makes this showdown special is how contestants incorporate Lexington-style BBQ’s sweet-tangy flavors into their chili recipes.
Fun fact: The 2019 winner shocked everyone by adding chocolate and a splash of Cheerwine soda to his championship batch! Don’t miss the People’s Choice award where your vote determines which spicy creation reigns supreme.
2. Hillsborough Hog Day’s Smokin’ Chili Challenge
“Your chili needs more smoke!” shouted my buddy Mike at my first Hillsborough Hog Day attempt. He wasn’t wrong – smoke is the secret weapon at this historic Orange County showdown where competitors infuse their chili with hardwood-smoked ingredients.
Every June, this charming town transforms into chili heaven as contestants set up their stations along the Eno River. Unlike other competitions, participants must incorporate locally-raised pork and at least one smoked element into their recipes.
The judges’ panel includes local celebrities, previous champions, and one lucky festival attendee selected by random drawing. Between tastings, enjoy bluegrass performances, craft vendors, and the spectacular whole-hog cooking demonstrations that give this 40-year tradition its name.
3. Carolina Chili Championship In Greensboro
Sweat beaded on my forehead after just one spoonful at the Carolina Chili Championship. This isn’t for the faint of heart! As the state’s official qualifying event for the International Chili Society World Championship, competitors here don’t mess around.
The September showdown transforms Greensboro’s downtown into a spice-lover’s paradise with over 50 competitors from across the Southeast. What separates this championship from others is the strict adherence to competition categories: Traditional Red, Homestyle, Verde, and the crowd-favorite Carolina Style featuring local BBQ influence.
Bring cash for the all-you-can-taste public sampling tickets, which sell out lightning-fast. Between tastings, cool your palate with local craft beers specifically paired to complement the varying heat levels of the competing chilis.
4. Charlotte Chili Cook-Off’s Urban Heat
“I accidentally entered the wrong category!” I laughed to the judge as I realized my BBQ-infused chili was competing against traditional Texas-style entries. Thankfully, Charlotte’s cook-off embraces such happy accidents with their “Freestyle” category that celebrates fusion cooking.
Held in February at the Historic South End, this urban event attracts Charlotte’s diverse culinary talents from professional chefs to passionate home cooks. The competition uniquely features both classic chili categories and innovative divisions including vegetarian, BBQ fusion, and the notorious “Blow Your Mind” ultra-spicy challenge.
Between tastings, enjoy mixology demonstrations where local bartenders create custom cocktails designed to complement (or cool down from) the competing chilis. Their signature “Chili-tini” became so popular it’s now offered year-round at several uptown establishments!
5. Pittsboro PepperFest’s Chili Extravaganza
Pepper plants taller than me lined the entrance to my first Pittsboro PepperFest! This September celebration isn’t just a chili competition—it’s a full-blown pepper worship service where local farmers showcase over 80 pepper varieties grown in central North Carolina’s fertile soil.
The chili competition here stands out because contestants must use peppers sourced from participating farms within a 150-mile radius. Categories include traditional meat, vegetarian, and the unique “Sweet Heat” division where chili meets Carolina’s sweet BBQ traditions.
Between tastings, visit educational booths to learn about sustainable pepper cultivation or watch cooking demonstrations from regional chefs. Don’t miss the “Pepper Eating Challenge” where brave (or foolish) souls compete to consume increasingly spicy peppers—I still can’t feel my tongue from my 2018 attempt!
6. Raleigh Heat & Meat Fest’s Capital City Showdown
“That’s not chili, that’s art!” exclaimed the mayor when tasting my entry at Raleigh’s Heat & Meat Fest. This capital city celebration brings together North Carolina’s diverse regional cooking styles in one massive downtown throwdown.
Held during July’s sweltering heat (fitting for a chili competition!), this festival spans Moore Square with over 75 competitors divided into Eastern NC, Western NC, and International style categories. The unique “Crossroads Challenge” requires contestants to blend traditional chili techniques with authentic North Carolina BBQ methods.
Celebrity judges from Food Network shows join local restaurateurs to crown champions in each division. Between tastings, cool off with specialty ice creams created specifically to complement spicy foods. Don’t miss the evening finale where the “Ring of Fire” contest pushes heat levels beyond reasonable limits—medical teams actually stand by!
7. Winston-Salem Chili Bowl’s Tobacco Road Tradition
Rain poured down in sheets at last year’s Winston-Salem Chili Bowl, but neither competitors nor tasters budged an inch! This resilient April tradition celebrates the city’s rich cultural heritage by connecting tobacco road history with modern culinary innovation.
Held at the historic Brookstown Mill, this competition uniquely divides entries by heat level rather than style, with categories ranging from “Mild Mannered” to “Volcanic.” What makes this event special is the emphasis on historical recipes—the Heritage Division requires contestants to use cooking methods and ingredients available pre-1900.
Between tastings, explore the Chili History Museum pop-up exhibition tracing the evolution of Southern chili traditions. The coveted grand prize includes having your recipe featured at five downtown restaurants for the following year. My cousin’s three-bean heritage recipe still appears on menus after winning in 2019!