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The Town of Cutler Bay’s highly popular community event, the 16th annual Chili Cook Off, took place on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Cutler Ridge Park, breaking its own previous attendance records.
More than 6,200 people attended the event that brought together residents, families, local businesses and visitors, as both amateur and professional cooks competed for prizes and attendees gathered to enjoy free chili, salsa, and cornbread samples. There was live music by hometown band Cutler Stew, food trucks to round out the cuisine, and a Kids Zone for entertaining the youngsters.
“This event has become one of the signature gatherings in Cutler Bay,” said Mayor Tim Meerbott. “Year after year, we see more people come out to enjoy great food, support local businesses, and spend time together as a community. Breaking attendance records again shows how much this tradition means to our residents.”
The event was attended by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and District 8 Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, who joined the town’s leadership and residents in celebrating the continued success of this long-standing community event.
Local restaurants, organizations, and teams competed across multiple categories, showcasing their culinary creativity.
2026 Chili Cook Off winners
Restaurant Division
Best Chili: Rodbenders Raw Bar & Grill
Best Salsa: Rodbenders Raw Bar & Grill
Cornbread
1st Place: Flava Unit
2nd Place: Rodbenders Raw Bar & Grill
3rd Place: The Jerks
Salsa
1st Place: Hanns On
2nd Place: Ridge Rats Cutler Bay Firehouse 34
3rd Place: Mee Mah’s Chili
Chili
1st Place: Traveling Tailgater
2nd Place: Cristo-Balls Hurrichili
3rd Place: Pigwrecked
Firehouse Chili Winner: The Chili Beautiful
Best Decorated Booth: Flava Unit
People’s Choice Awards
1st Place People’s Choice Salsa: Ridge Rats Cutler Bay Firehouse 34
2nd Place People’s Choice Salsa: Hanns On
1st Place People’s Choice Chili: Hialeah Fire Department
2nd Place People’s Choice Chili: Pigwrecked
Cutler Bay officials thanked all participants, volunteers, and staff who helped make this year’s Chili Cook Off another record-breaking success. Special appreciation went to this year’s sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor:
District 8 Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins
Silver Sponsors:
HCA Florida Kendall Hospital
Your Better Mortgage LLC
Bronze Sponsors:
Miami Pump Development
Nextlevel Contractors
The Luis Andrew Group
T&S Roofing Systems
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