California's chili "roots" come from the Old West trails where cowboys and miners through ingredients into a hot iron skillet or big pan to make a hearty meal that they could share around a camp. The dish usually contained beef or meat and some beans to stretch the food,  providing the feeling of being full and satisfied. 

A great Western comedy film, Blazing Saddles, poked fun at a group of cowboys around a campfire and the effects that a round of chili had on them when they all had gas.  Yes, chili is known for that! Some chili recipes and contests don't contain beans, the gas-producing ingredients, but in most chili contests beans are part of the recipe. Some contests and categories are only open to professional, licensed restaurants and kitchens, but most include a public category in which you can sign up and enter. The rules normally specify that you must bring your ingredients and cook a large quantity to provide enough samples for the attending public. Often the samples the public, which usually pays a fee to taste, will receive a small paper cup size sample with a plastic spoon to taste it, and usually they get to vote for a people's choice award.

There are several types of chili contests--those that pay a fee to participate in the International Chili Society competition, and community based contests or special events where contests winners will not move onto additional contests. Chili Contests are great stand-alone events but normally include entertainment such as bands, games for kids, vendor booths and sponsors.

Desert Rat Regional
American Legion Post 476
California City, CA
3/30/2013
Regional

Perris Valley Chili Cookoff
American Legion Post 595
Perris, CA
4/6/2013
District

Red Bluff Roundup
Historic Downtown Red Bluff
Red Bluff, CA
4/13/2013
Regional

North County HOMESTYLE Chili Cookoff

Prunedale, CA
4/14/2013
Regional

Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Chili Cookoff & Classic Car Show
Conejo Creek Park
Thousand Oaks, CA
4/28/2013
Regional

Old Town Temecula Regional Chili Cookoff
Old Town Temecula
Temecula, CA
5/19/2013
Regional

Huntington Beach Elks Regional
HB Elks Lodge
Huntington Beach, CA
6/1/2013
Regional

Tustin Street Fair & Chili Cookoff
El Camino Real
Tustin, CA
6/2/2013
Regional

River City - Old Town Elk Grove Regional & HOMESTYLE
Old Town Elk Grove Festival
Elk Grove, CA
6/8/2013
Regional

Knights of Columbus District
St. Rose of Lima Church
Simi Valley, CA
6/9/2013
District

Main Street Tehachapi Chili Cookoff
Main Street Tehachapi
Tehachapi, CA
6/15/2013
Regional

Cook's Corner Regional Chili Cookoff
Cook's Corner Bar & Pub
Trabuco Canyon, CA
6/22/2013
Regional

Carnaval of Lights HOMESTYLE Chili Cookoff
La Quinta Community Park
La Quinta, CA
7/4/2013
Regional

Sespe Creek Car Show and Chili Cookoff
City Hall
Fillmore, CA
7/4/2013
District

Big Bear Regional Cookoff
Big Bear Convention Center
Big Bear Lake, CA
7/13/2013
Regional

California State - Sizzling Summer Chili Fest & Car Show and Chili Cookoff
The Great Park
Irvine, CA
7/21/2013
State

Western Regional
Del Mar Race Track
Del Mar, CA
8/3/2013
Regional

Foresthill District Chili Cookoff
Leroy Botts Memorial Park
Foresthill, CA
8/31/2013
District

Camarillo Hospice Regional Chili Cookoff
Camarillo Ranch
Camarillo, CA
9/1/2013
Regional

World's Championship Chili Cookoff
Spa Resort Casino
Palm Springs, CA
10/11/2013
World
 

CAMBRIA  April 21, 2012
Chili Cook-Off & Car Show The aroma of mouth-watering chili will draw you to the Pinedorado Grounds for the Annual Chili Cook-Off and Car Show. Chili tasters can enjoy hot cars as well as hot chili at this annual event where chili cooks and car owners compete for trophies and prizes. Music, prizes, entertainment, and great beers all add up to great fun for everyone. It's all happening at the Veterans Memorial Hall and Pinedorado Grounds at the corner of Main Street and Cambria Road. Chili Cook Off & Car Show 2012 - Car Show 10am - 2 pm, Chili Cook Off noon-3 pm Vets' Hall, Pinedorado Grounds Cambria Chamber of Commerce. Vets' Hall parking lot & Pinedorado Grounds. Raffles, prizes, entertainment. Chili tasting from 12 noon - 3 PM. Car Show 10AM-2PM Call 927-3624 for info. Phone: 805-927-3624. cambriachamber.org

PETALUMA  May 12, 2012
The Great Petaluma Chili Cookoff, Salsa, and Beer Tasting. The 15th Annual Great Petaluma Chili Cookoff, Salsa, and Beer Tasting fires up at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma on May 12, 2012. Feel the heat as restaurants, businesses, clubs and individuals compete for the top chili and beer honors in Northern California. Sample gourmet, homemade, and veggie chili recipes, and stay for outdoor music, dancing and world class beers. This event benefits Cinnabar Theater Youth Program. 40 teams of Chili and Salsa Makers and 15 Breweries are challenging each other for the top awards. Music, dancing, and all the hot chili and salsa you want.  It's a raucous good time!  1-5 p.m. Cost $25-40. Location: Petaluma Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma CA 94952 web: greatchilicookoff.com Phone: (707) 763-8920 

FRESNO - August 11, 2012 Fresno Chile Festival
Fresno Chile Festival returns, celebrating Fresno chiles! This Festival is a complete celebration of what's HOT in Fresno. There will be HOT food, HOT music, and HOT times. Come be a part of the 2nd Annual Fresno Chile Festival!
 

International Chili Society (ICS) Sanctioned Chili Cookoffs:

APPLE VALLEY -

ARROYO GRANDE  August 12, 2012
Central Coast Chili Challenge District Contest  - $5 ticket for 5 chili tastings, drawings, wild west demos, live entertainment, Show & Shine Car Show, Arts & Crafts booths, kids games
Biddle Park, 3500 Lopez Drive, Arroyo Grande, CA  agrotary.org

BIG BEAR LAKE  July 14, 2012
Big Bear Regional Cookoff
Big Bear Convention Center
Big Bear Lake, CA
Regional

CALIFORNIA CITY  March 31, 2012
Desert Rat Regional
American Legion Post 476
California City, CA
Regional

HUNTINGTON BEACH June 2, 2012 
Huntington Beach Elks Regional
HB Elks Lodge
Huntington Beach, CA
Regional

IRVINE  July 28, 2012
OC Car Show and Chili Cookoff
Irvine Lake
Irvine, CA
District

LAKEPORT  May 26, 2012
Konocti Vista Casino Chili Cookoff
Konocti Vista Casino
Lakeport, CA
District

PALM SPRINGS  April 14, 2012
Knights of Columbus #3583 Chili Cookoff
St Theresa Sch athelic field
Palm Springs, CA
District

TEMECULA May 20, 2012
Old Town Temecula Regional Chili Cookoff
Old Town Temecula
Temecula, CA
Regional


PERRIS  April  7, 2012
Perris Valley Regional Chili Cookoff
American Legion Post 595
Perris, CA
Regional

RED BLUFF  April 14, 2012
Red Bluff Roundup
Historic Downtown Red Bluff
Red Bluff, CA
Regional  Chili Cookoff is part of the celebration of Red Bluff Rodeo Round UP PRCA Rodeo Week.

ROCKLIN  September 15, 2012, 10 a.m. - 4 pm.
Hot Chili & Cool Cars -  Pacific Street Chili Cook Off Classic Car Show Craft Booths Childrens Activities Business Showcase Live Entertainment. Sponsored by Rocklin Chamber of Commerce, rocklinchamber.com

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO  September 22, 2012
Swallow's Inn Regional
Swallows Inn Regional
San Juan Capistrano, CA
Regional

THOUSAND OAKS  April 29, 2012
Conejo Valley Chili Cookoff Regional Contest
Conejo Creek Park, Janss Road & Highway 23,  Thousand Oaks, CA
Children's entertainment, bingo, local and regional bands chili-cook-off.com

TRABUCO CANYON  June 23, 2012
Cook's Corner Regional Chili Cookoff
Cook's Corner Bar & Pub
Trabuco Canyon, CA
Regional

TUSTIN   June 3, 2012
Tustin Street Fair & Chili Cookoff
El Camino Real
Tustin, CA
Regional