CHILI COOK-OFF IS MOVING!
We can’t wait for this year’s Chili Cook-Off at a NEW location! Chili Cook-Off will take place on March 7, 2026 at The Urban Center in Liberty Park. Get your tickets here!
Register here or reach out to hbrothers@exceptionalfoundation.org regarding sponsorships.
The Exceptional Foundation’s largest annual event is the Chili Cook-Off, which was named Best Community Event by Mountain Brook Magazine and Best Annual Charity Event by About Town Magazine. All proceeds from the event – featuring live music, a kids’ zone, and all the chili you can eat – directly benefits our programs at The Exceptional Foundation.
The 2025 Chili Cook-Off was held on Saturday, March 1. The event featured 140 cook teams and was attended by over 14,000 people. Proceeds from the Chili Cook-Off provide a significant source of funding for programs at The Exceptional Foundation, where we promote lasting friendships, healthy living, life skills, and community involvement for adults and youth with intellectual disabilities.
See the 2025 Chili Cook-Off photos here!
A special thank you to
Our 2026 Sponsors
This year, we are partnering with Alabama Power’s Renew Our Rivers program, one of the nation’s largest river clean-up projects. Alabama Power has been part of The Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook-Off for many years, and we are grateful for their continued support.
VIP and Judges Sponsors
Kids’ Zone Sponsor
Cayenne Sponsors
Jalapeño Sponsors
AFS Foundation & Waterproofing
Air Engineers, LLC
Alphagraphics
Altec Capital
Altec NUECO
Ardent Preschool & Daycare
Avondale/Good People
Balch & Bingham
Big Steel
Birmingham Electrical Contractors, Inc.
BL Harbert
Brandino Brass Co
Carr Allison
Cooper Construction Company
Cushman & Wakefield / EGS Commercial Real Estate
Doster Construction Company, Inc.
Evonik
Fairway Investments
Friedman, Dazzio & Zulanas, P.C.
GHT GROUP - BHM
Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Hargrove Engineers & Constructors
Harris Doyle Homes
Heritage Landscape Supply
Higginbotham Ins
HPM
JCAC Heating & Cooling
JJ Kane Auctions
Landing
Leaf Filter North Inc.
Marathon Electrical Contractors LLC
McGriff, a Marsh & McLennan Agency
Millhouse Howell Landscape Company
Morgan & Morgan
Murray Construction
O’Neal Steel
RADERMcCARY
Salser & Smith
Shaw Technology
Simpson Plastering
Smith & Howard
Southeastern Sealcoating
Southern Electrical Contractors
Southern Sky Aviation LLC
Starnes Davis Florie LLP
Stivers Ford of Birmingham
Strong Automotive
The Stewart/Perry Company
Vulcan Materials Company
Williford Orman Construction, LLC
YATES Engineers
Vestavia Hills FD
Spicy Sponsors
Alpha Lumber & Millwork
AMWINS
ARC Realty
BLOX
Blackjack Horticulture
Bryant Bank
Carrigan's Public House
Command Alkon
Core Specialty
EdiPhy Advisors
Green Valley Roofing
Guild Mortgage- Birmingham
Gusty Gulas Group
Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
Hand In Paw
Huntington Bank
Iron City Professionals
Jemison Metals
Little Pigs Roofing
Maynard Nexsen
MBCC/Christian & Small
Nextran Truck Centers
Patterson Andrews Wealth Management
River Bank and Trust
Rumberger Kirk
ServisFirst Bank
Southpace Properties
Southpoint Bank
Spearhead Integrated Solutions
Steel City Chili
TA Services
The Birmingham Men's Law Firm
Thompson Coburn LLP
Tractor & Equipment Company
Velocity Risk
Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, LLP
Shades Valley Lutheran Church
Red Rock Realty Group
the competition will be heated!
Meet the Judges
2026 Chili Cook-Off Judges
stephen allen, Williams Blackstock Architects
John bakkegard, Fresh hospitality
Jennifer andress, mayor of homewood
John baldwin, uab
dickey barlow, mountain brook city schools
jj bischoff, city of homewood
john michael bodnar, bodnar investment group
jay brandrup, kinetic
maggie brooke, community volunteer
david carrigan, carrigan’s
will clark, altec
kimberly cook, vestavia city councilor, place 2
will cooper, amwins
ashley curry, mayor of vestavia hills
paul demarco, al house representative
brandon dillard, alabama power
jeff downes, vestavia city manager
krystal drummond, drummond company
jim dunaway, next round live
jon dunn
carolyn dunn
david faulker, al house representative
houston gillespy, crawford holdings
nicholas hand, vulcan materials
mark ingram, athletic director, uab
tim king, the caring foundation of bcbs of al
bruce lanier, architecture works
william lewis, ready mix
will lochamy, birmingham mountain radio
david loper, protective life
danny markstein, markstein
scott myers, al sports hall of fame
chris nanni, community foundation
craft o’neal, o’neal industries
Patrick o’sullivan
geno pearson, birmingham mountain radio
stephen puryear, pure golf
michelle puryear
nick sims, homewood city councilor, ward 2
graham smith, mayor of mountain brook
jimmie stephens, presdient, jefferson county comission
lance taylor, next round live
john trawick, southern power
jake travis, rfg advisory
michael turnbough, raymond james
mike thomas, brasfield & gorrie
stacey turner, alabama power
david turner, cadence bank
austin virciglio, piggly wiggly
dave wood, wood fruticher
emma woodford, northwestern mutual
Phillip schilleci, supreme beverage company
drew gearhart, waverly advisors
Your Questions, Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does the Chili Cook-Off benefit?
The Chili Cook-Off is a family friendly event featuring live music, a kid zone, and all the chili you can eat. In 2024, the event raised over $520,000 for The Exceptional Foundation. 151 chili cook teams competed for our grand prizes, and more than 13,000 people attended.
When and where is the Chili Cook-Off?
The Chili Cook-Off is held on the first Saturday of March each year.
How do I register a team?
Teams are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis for our Chili Cook-Off sponsors. There are three levels of sponsorship available for your company, organization, or team. We encourage both corporate and indiviudal sponsors to participate! If you want to be put on the list to be called when teams open up, please email Haley Brothers at hbrothers@exceptionalfoundation.org.
What if it rains?
Rain or shine, we are still on!
Where do I get tickets?
Tickets can be purchased on this webpage when they are available or at The Exceptional Foundation location prior to the event for $15. The day of the event, tickets can be bought at the entrance for $20. Children 12 and under enter free.
How are the winners selected?
Winners of the Grand Prize, First Runner-Up, Second Runner-Up, and Spirit Awards are selected by a panel of judges. The People's Choice Award is given to the team who gets the most votes by patrons at the event. The Spirit Award is given to the team with best tent decoration, costumes, etc., and is voted on by the judges and Exceptional Foundation participants.
How do I vote?
Scan the QR code on your favorite team's tent to vote electronically for People's Choice. Votes must be placed by 2 p.m. and each ticketholder is only eligible to vote once.
Donate to The Exceptional Foundation
At The Exceptional Foundation we are committed to enhancing the lives of all those with special needs, regardless of their financial means. Donations from individuals, corporations and grants fund ¾ of our operating costs. Caring for a loved one with special needs can be both rewarding and challenging. Your donation makes it possible for exceptional individuals to participate in our programs, benefitting our participants as well as their families and caregivers.
