Head to the LSU Parker Coliseum for the Chili Cook-off

Cooks from across the country are coming to the Capital City for the ninth annual Louisiana Regional and State Chili Cook-offs.

The regional cook-off will be held Saturday, March 14, and the state cook-off will follow Sunday, March 15. Both cook-offs will take place at LSU’s Parker Coliseum at the corner of Stadium Drive and Highland Road. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners, and a people’s choice award winner will be named at 4:30 p.m. each day inside the 4-H mini farm building.

Though the event is free, those who want to taste the different chilis can buy six sample tickets for $5. In conjunction with the cook-off, there will be a Fish and Koi show Saturday, the annual Garden Show Saturday and Sunday, and the Spring Car Show Sunday. All events take place around the Parker Coliseum. Proceeds from the event benefit Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.

Cook-off chairman and coordinator Jason Blevins says the event has more than 65 cooks each day. Of those competitors, there are entries from 14 different states. The cook-offs will also feature six former and current world champs. In a nutshell, these chilis are the real deal.

For more information on the cook-offs, click here.