We're excited to see the field of competitors who have already won their golden ticket and registered to compete at the 2024 World Food Championships. And we are always proud to announce our special guests and celebrity judges participating in our judging events across the nation - we're sure the championship food certainly helps! Best of luck to our 2024 competitors!
COMPETITOR
Fire in the Hole Chili
HEAD COOK: Susan Baumberger
COMPETITION: World Open Chili Championship
QUALIFYING EVENT: Camarillo Hospice Chili Cookoff
I began competitive chili cooking in 1994 when I joined the International Chili Society. I have won a number of ICS World Qualifying events, including Silver State Regional, Mexican National, Conejo Days Regional, and Camarillo Hospice Regional, to name a few. My husband joined the ICS about 5 years after me, using my recipe. In 2002, he won the ICS World Championships in red chili, and won $25,000. In early 2000, I joined Cooking Contest Central, which is a website for various cooking and recipe contests, and have competed regularly since joining. In 2012, I became a Certified Chili Judge for the ICS.