The Mérida Chili Cook-off returns for 2027. This year, a sweet new contender joins the occasion: our first-ever Dessert Bake-off!
The 2027 Mérida Chili Cook-off & Dessert Bake-off is a friendly community and tasting event where cooks compete by serving their best chili recipes and bakers make their best desserts, attendees vote for favorites, and everyone enjoys food, music and a fun afternoon together. It’s a local social and food celebration with a competitive twist.
This 12th edition of the Mérida Chili Cook-off & Dessert Bake-off is set for Saturday, February 6, 2027, from 3:00 - 8:00 PM at Casa de Amistad in Itzimná. There will be live music, food and more fun activities!
Do you want to be part of this event?
To make this annual gathering possible, we need 20 chili cooks and 20 dessert bakers. Your talent and generosity are the essential ingredients-and entering the contest is free.
Chili Cooks, Your Reputation Precedes You
Does your chili inspire second helpings and persistent requests for the recipe? Whether traditional, fiery, mild, vegetarian, or a closely guarded family creation, we invite you to bring your finest pot. If your friends insist your chili deserves an audience, perhaps it is time to listen to them.
Dessert Bakers, History Awaits
A cake that commands attention? Brownies that vanish before the tray reaches the table? Cookies, pies, or bars whose arrival is eagerly anticipated? Your signature dessert could earn you the distinction of becoming our very first Dessert Bake-Off winner. A rather sweet claim to fame.
Charity Event
This event was created to support a variery of children’s charities. The organizations involved direct the funds raised during the event to this cause.
This event has supported the program Estancia Nueva Vida by Mission of Friends Yucatán - Erie, and this year we continue helping this noble cause.
In addition to that, the funds will be allocated to expand The Children´s Section of the Mérida English Library (MEL), where we offer at variety of books for kids of all ages and reading levels: from board books to picture books, bilingual books, fiction and nonfiction, classic stories, series and anthologies.