2026 BEST OF THE WEST CHILI COOK - OFF
2026 Best of the West Chili Cook-Off
Grand Champion - Kori Taggart {KT Chili}
2nd Place - Yvonne Morris {Cheeks Calico Chili}
1st Place - Laurie Bahe {Cowboy Brisket Chili}
Thank You!
The Western Music & Songwriters Series, along with our partners at DDBR, extends a heartfelt thank you to all of this year’s Chili Cook-Off participants.
As this marks our final Chili Cook-Off, we are especially grateful to everyone—past and present—who helped make this tradition such a fun, memorable, and meaningful part of our event over the years.
WMSS BEST OF THE WEST CHILE COOK OFF
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Contestant signups and chili names due 1/3/2026
Contestants are capped at 30 participants.
Each contestant will provide 7-8 quarts of homemade chili, delivered HOT, in a crock-pot by 2:00pm, on January 24, to Deseret Peak Complex – concession stands. (Must arrive hot!)
Contestants will rate their chili spiciness. (mild, medium or hot)
Contestants must provide 2 copies of their Ingredients (not recipe), on 8 1/2 X 11 paper.
Each contestant will be judged on five (5) criteria, smell, thickness, color, flavor and aftertaste.
Each contestant will receive two general admission tickets to attend the event.
Winners will be announced at intermission.
Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
1st Place receives a “WMSS Best of The West Chili Cook-Off” Belt Buckle
Crock-pots should be picked up from the concession stand directly following the event
If you have questions, please contact Tyler Guy at 801 865 0175 or email us at:
wmss@westernsong.net or down.n.dirtybarrel@gmail.com
FREE TO ENTER
Here is your chance to become "The Best Of The West". Dig deep into your grandma's recipes and show us what you got! All chili donated is sold through our concession stand, ran by a youth organization as a fundraiser. 100% of all sales will go back to the organization. In the link below, please include your full name, phone number and the name of your chili. Once we receive your email, we will add you to the entry list and contact you.
2025 BEST OF THE WEST CHILI COOK - OFF
GRAND CHAMPION 2025
GRAND CHAMPION 2025
GRAND CHAMPION 2025
Yvonne Morris
(COWGIRL SWEET-CHEEKS CALICO CHILI)
GRAND CHAMPION 2025
GRAND CHAMPION 2025
Ben Campbell 2nd Place Winner
(SOMBRERO)
Berkley Loomis 3rd Place Winner
(PIG PEN CHILI)
Thank You!
GRAND CHAMPION 2025
Thank You!
The Western Music & Songwriters Series, along with our partners DDBR would like to give a special thank you to Brickyard Animal Hospital, for their support of this year's Best of the West Chili Cook-off
2020 Best Of The West Chili Cook Off Champions
2020 Grand Champion Tonia Alexander
T's Renegade Chili
2nd Place Bobbie Weyland
Traeger Smoked Chili
3rd Place Bee Rasmussen
Stockyard Chicken Chili
Best of the West Chili Cook-Off!
Sign-ups for the 2026 Best of the West Chili Cook-Off are now open!
We’re accepting 30 contestants to compete for the coveted title—Best of the West!
Free to enter
Each contestant will receive two general admission tickets to the event
Winners announced at intermission
To enter, email us at wmss@westernsong.net. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this spicy showdown!