Chili/ Soup Cook-off & Cupcake Wars
Your 2026 Cook-off Companion22nd Annual Chili/Soup Cook-off
& 12th Annual Cupcake Wars
Saturday, October 24, 2026
New Baden Community Park · New Baden, Illinois
3–10 PM · Tasting 3–7 PM
🌶️ Come Hungry. Leave Happy.
Chili & Soup Tasting
$10 children ages 5–12
All-you-can-eat tasting, 3–7 PM.
🧁 Cupcake Wars
Limited tasting availability. One cupcake sample per booth using the official punch card.
🎈 Kids’ Activities
Separate from tasting armbands. Activities 2–6 PM at the South Ball Diamond Outfield.
Vote for your favorites! Tasting ends and voting canisters are collected at 7 PM. Winners announced at the stage at 8 PM.
🕒 Event Day Timeline
Times are subject to minor adjustments.
| 7 AM | Competitors begin setup and cooking; all teams must be checked in by 9 AM. |
| 10 AM | Craft & Vendor Fair setup. Vendor information: Patty, (602) 750-6873. |
| 12 Noon | Food and beverage (soda/beer) sales begin. Beverage sales at Circle Drive. Food stand at Main Pavilion benefits Wesclin High School Special Education Program; hot dogs, nachos and more. |
| 1–7 PM | Craft & Vendor Fair. |
| 2–7 PM | Chili/Soup and Cupcake Wars armband sales. Cash only; ATM on site. |
| 2–6 PM | Kids’ events: bounce house, corn pit, games and more at South Ball Diamond Outfield. Separate $5 armband. |
| 3–7 PM | Chili/Soup Cook-off and Cupcake Wars tasting competition. |
| 3–7 PM | Live music: Mister Bogus on stage. |
| 6:30 PM | Lighting of bonfire with Hollow Log. |
| 7 PM | Tasting ends; voting canisters collected. |
| 8 PM | Awards ceremony for Chili/Soup Cook-off and Cupcake Wars at the stage. |
| 10 PM | Event ends. |
🎶 More Than a Cook-off
Live Music
Mister Bogus performs 3–7 PM.
Family Fun
Kids’ activities, games, bounce house and corn pit, 2–6 PM. $5 separate armband.
Food for a Cause
Visit the Main Pavilion food stand. Proceeds benefit the Wesclin High School Special Education Program.
Bonfire
Gather for the Hollow Log bonfire lighting at 6:30 PM.
🏆 Meet the 2026 Competitors
Meet the teams bringing the flavor to New Baden! 26 competition entries across chili, soup and cupcakes. Some teams compete in more than one category.
🌶️ Chili Teams 13 entries
| Team Name | Entry Name |
|---|---|
| Haas Brothers | Haas Brothers Chili |
| New Baden Jaycees | Amber's Award Winning-ish Chili |
| Thick, Meaty, and Ready | Voodoo Velvet Creole Chili |
| Thaler’s and Crew | Smokey Pulled Pork Chili |
| Natty Daddy’s | Natty Daddy’s Chili |
| Britsch'n Kitch'n | Britsch'n Sweet Chili |
| Henry's Crew | Chili Maniacs |
| Market Center | The "'Wurst" Chili (Bratwurst Chili) |
| Corey Miller & Family | Kretzer's Grill & Bar Chili |
| Holla Chili | Holla Chili |
| Soup er’ Bowl | Leah’s Chili |
| Brandon's Entourage | A Few Guys and Some Chili |
| MB's Chili | MB's Chili |
🍲 Soup Teams 6 entries
| Team Name | Entry Name |
|---|---|
| 4M | Creamy Grilled Chicken & Wild Rice Soup |
| New Baden Jaycees | Southern Potato Soup |
| Natty Daddy’s | Natty Daddy’s Soup |
| Henry's Crew | Chicken Noodle Dandy's |
| MB's Soup | MB's Soup |
| Corey Miller & Family | Kretzer's Grill & Bar Soup |
🧁 Cupcake Wars Teams 7 entries
| Team Name | Entry Name |
|---|---|
| Family Batters | Death by Chocolate |
| Bakers with Attitudes (GENTRYS TREATS) | Strawberry Lemonade Crunch |
| Thaler and Crew | Sweet Strawberry Whips |
| B+B Sweet Treats | Bleeding Heart Cupcake |
| Whisked and Dangerous | Velvet Volcano |
| The Cozy Cupcake Co | Apple-y Ever Frosted |
| The Polka Dots | Caramel Turtle Cupcakes |
Team and entry names are subject to change before event day.
👩🍳 Compete in the Cook-off
Chili, soup and cupcake teams make this event possible! Registration is handled through separate online forms.
🌶️ Chili & Soup Teams
Minimum 20 gallons per entry. All ingredients and cooking preparation must take place on park grounds. No crock pots. Teams must check in by 9 AM; ready to serve by 3 PM.
Participation payout: $200 cash per team, subject to final confirmation of bonus details.
🧁 Cupcake Wars Teams
Minimum 750 mini cupcakes per entry. Cupcakes arrive unfrosted; frosting must be made and applied at the park. One flavor per entry. Teams must check in by 9 AM; ready to serve by 3 PM.
Questions about competing? Contact Teri at (618) 334-3136 or teredi@hotmail.com.
Competition rules, eligibility and prizes are subject to the Chamber’s official requirements. Early-entry deadlines have passed; please check the registration forms for current entry availability.
🛍️ Craft & Vendor Fair
Saturday, October 24 · 1–7 PM
Vendor setup begins at 10 AM.
🗺️ Park Layout & Parking
Event Layout Map
Coming Soon
Find team booths, vendors, entertainment, food and activities once the final layout is approved.
Parking Map
Coming Soon
Approved designated parking areas will be posted here.
Check back for map updates as event day approaches.
📌 Know Before You Go
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs are prohibited on park grounds during this event.
Can I pay with a card?
Armband sales are cash only. An ATM will be available on site.
When can I start tasting?
Tasting begins at 3 PM, even though armband sales begin at 2 PM.
How do I vote?
Follow the event’s voting ticket instructions and deposit your vote in the canister at your favorite booth before 7 PM.