RTFL’s 2026 Chili Cook-Off “Freedom Never Tasted So Good”

  • DATE: Saturday, January 17, 2026

  • TIME: Doors open at 12:00 pm

  • WHERE: Round Top Rifle Hall

  • COST: Tickets are $12 per person and children under 12 years old get in free

  • PRIZE MONEY:

    $1,000 for First Place in RTFL Traditional Chili Division

    $500 for First Place in Open Chili Division

  • NEW JUDGING CRITERIA - see below

  • SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES- click here for information

  • SIGN UP TO BE A CHILI COOKER - click here to register to be a cooker

Round Top Family Library is gearing up for an amazing annual chili cook-off! We are excited to announce that Kaci and Sterling Van Coutren are the chairs of the event and to announce our slogan “Freedom Never Tasted So Good”! This year’s cook-off carries special weight, coinciding with America’s 250th Birthday. What better way to honor the occasion than with an all-American chili cook-off! Here are the details:

RTFL is excited to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday! Our beloved annual chili cook-off in 2026 coincides with our nation’s special birthday - America250. RTFL will start off the celebratory year with a patriotic-themed Chili Cook-Off that we are proud to call “Freedom Never Tasted So Good!” Stay tuned for all the special tributes we have planned in 2026 and join us at the Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, January 17, 2026 as we kick off our nation’s 250th birthday celebration.

  • Click here to get information on how to be a sponsor of the RTFL Chili Cook-Off!

  • You can sign up to be a cooker starting Tuesday, November 4th. Don’t forget - the first five teams to sign up get to pick the location of their booth! Click here to get the Cookers Application!

  • Click here to get the new judging details for the upcoming cook-off!

  • That’s right - prize money will be awarded:

    $1,000 to the First Place Team in the RTFL Traditional Chili Division

    $500 to the First Place Team in the Open Chili Division

  • More details to come

  • We sure hope so! More details to come

  • Absolutely! Every person that buys a ticket gets a bowl and a spoon! Eat until your heart’s desire!

  • As we think of more details, we will post them here. Lots of people like to know if the event will be indoors or out - that is weather permitting. Others like to know what to wear - we got you covered! Stay tuned!

  • We sure will! The Live Auction portion of the Chili Cook-Off is how we raise funds for the library!

Sign up to Cook!

Sign up to Cook!