Visitors to downtown St. Joseph looking for a way to fend off the cold temperatures can enjoy the annual Chili Tour later this month.
Sweet, savory, mild or extremely spicy — the chili tasting tour is happening January 26 from 5 to 8 pm in downtown St. Joe and it’s coordinated by downtown business and activity planner St. Joe Today.
Organizers tell us merchants and restaurants will offer samples of their favorite chili recipes in the hopes of earning the highly-coveted People’s Choice Award (determined by popular vote) or the Chili Pepper Award (determined by a panel of judges).
To ensure you’re hitting all the chili stops in an efficient and complete manner, Chili Tour maps are available for purchase at the St. Joe Today Welcome Center and The Market at 301 Main Street.
“There is a fee of $5 per map which lists the participating locations and doubles as your voting ballot,” said Daniele Crevier, events & operations manager of St. Joe Today. “A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen.”
Winners of the Chili Pepper Award and the People’s Choice Award will be announced on Monday, January 29.
Attendees are encouraged to turn in their maps to either location at the end of the night to vote for their favorite chili as well as enter in the drawing for a $25 St. Joe Today Gift Certificate.
The following sites are this year’s chili stop locations:
- Affinity Salon & Spa featuring chili by The Mark III Grille & Bar
- Caffe Tosi featuring chili by the SJHS Culinary Arts Team
- Dad’s Farm & Cafe and DogSlinger
- G&M Variety featuring chili by On The River Tavern
- Harbor Town Interiors featuring chili by Lake Street Eats
- Infusco Coffee featuring chili by Houndstooth
- Kingfisher Cocktails & Tacos and Hill District by North Pier
- Lee & Birch featuring chili by Full Circle Cafe
- Nardo’s Pizza
- Oh My Darlings featuring chili by The Brick House
- Perennial Accents featuring chili by SJHS Culinary Arts Team
- Revive Spa featuring chili by Brian – The Munchie Man
- Schu’s
- South Bend Chocolate Company
- Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra featuring chili by Thornton’s Home Town Cafe
- St. Joe Community Taproom featuring chili by The Livery
- St. Joe Wine Shoppe featuring chili by Anemel
- The Buck Burgers & Brew
- The Cheese Lady
- Third Coast Surf Shop featuring chili by Base Bowls
- Union + Social featuring chili by Silver Harbor Brewing
- Wanderlust Outfitters featuring chili by Happy Poochie Eatery
- Waterfront House of Framing & Fashion featuring chili by bread + bar and Soul’s Ground Cafe
- White Pine Winery featuring chili by Silver Beach Pizza
- Wild Ginger Flowers & Gifts featuring chili by Sister Lakes Brewing
For more information on the Chili Tour, you can visit their website at stjoetoday.com/chili.
