CHILI challenge
40th ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF
raised $150,000
Thanks to our amazing teams, sponsors, vendors, donors, volunteers, judges, band, and enthusiastic auction bidders, this year’s event was a huge success! Because of YOU, we raised $150,000 to provide crucial services to children and adults with developmental disabilities in the Greater St. Joseph community.
Missouri State Champion
1st Place
Auto Pride I- Ty Clark
2nd place
Clarios DC- Lauren Scarborogh
3rd place
Van Girls- Ashley VanGundy
Amateur Division
1st- Auto Pride 1-
Ty Clark
2nd- Clarios DC
Lauren Scarborogh
3rd- Van Girls
Ashley VanGundy
4th- St. Joseph Firefighters
Jim Haenni
5th- American Family
Simon Gach
Professional Division
1st- Van BBQ II
Randy VanGundy
2nd- Eagles Lodge
Todd Phillips
3rd- Purina
Ashley Weiss
4th- Damn It Junior
Steve Holland
5th- Purina
Lisa
All Beef Division
Auto Pride I- Ty Clark
People Choice
top 15 teams with the highest fundraising totals
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- Nestle Purina $41,103
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- Sister’s Three $17,002
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- Hot Tamales $3,976
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- Little Chilies $2,872
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- Gray Manufacturing $2,700
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- Clarios $1,720
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- Knight of Columbus 5067 $1,129.06
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- Heather’s Hikers- Going Green- 3 Gen Chili & B&G $1,015
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- Boys are Back $796
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- Choices of St. Joseph $683.48
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- 3 Gen Chili 262
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- St Joseph Firefighters $179
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- Comfort of Home $166
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- Cafe Bella Epoque $163
Commercial Sponsor Division
1st Place
Auto Pride I- Ty Clark
2nd place
Clarios DC- Lauren Scarborogh
3rd place
Van Girls- Ashley VanGundy
Premiere Sponsor
St. Joe Beverage/Miller Lite
UCP’s 41st Annual Heart of America Chili Challenge 2026 will be held February 28th, 2027.
THIS FUN-FILLED DAY HAS PACKED THE CIVIC ARENA FOR THE PAST 39 YEARS WITH DEDICATED CHILI-COOKING CONTESTANTS AND A HUGE PUBLIC CROWD.
FORMS & information
Available in December of 2027
