Central Florida Chili Cookoff heats up this weekend

This year’s event takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in the Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden.

By Michael Eng
| 7:28 a.m. February 5, 2026

Earl Massey, of Earl's No Mumbo Jumbo Chili, is a familiar face — and a favorite — at the Central Florida Chili Cookoff.

Arts + Entertainment
Things to Do

If you’re still needing to thaw out from last weekend’s cold snap, Legacy Events for Education’s fifth annual Central Florida Chili Cookoff is the place to be.

This year’s event takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in the Hamlin Green Space, 14111 Shoreside Way, Winter Garden.

Local restaurants and chefs of all varieties will provide sample chilis. Enjoy a bite from food trucks and dessert vendors while enjoying live entertainment, adult and family-friendly refreshments, as well as a Kids Zone play area.

Adult chili-tasting wristbands are $10; kids chili-tasting and Kids Zone wristbands are $5. To purchase, click here.

Legacy Events for Education is a 501c3 nonprofit. Its programs include the Leave a Legacy and Teacher Nominated scholarships and its Legacy Academy. The scholarship programs recognize students for exceptional community volunteerism both on and off campus, and scholarships are awarded to students who have performed hundreds of volunteer hours during high school. Since 2019, Legacy has awarded more than 100 scholarships totaling $100,000.

author

Michael Eng

As a child, Editor and Publisher Michael Eng collected front pages of the Kansas City Star during Operation Desert Storm, so it was a foregone conclusion that he would pursue a career in journalism. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri — Columbia School of Journalism. When he’s not working, you can find him spending time with his wife and three children, or playing drums around town. He’s also a sucker for dad jokes.