The Malibu community came together for the 42nd Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off. Newbies and seasoned veterans of the festivities celebrated Labor Day weekend, judged chili, supported local businesses and enjoyed carnival rides.
The Malibu Chili Cook-Off ran the entire holiday weekend from August 30th to September 2nd. This year, more than 25,000 people attended the festival.says the website.
There were plenty of celebrity sightings at the festival this year, but it was the Malibu community that made the event so entertainingsaid Cheryl Freeman, a first-time visitor and owner of local clothing and bottle shop Tamra.
“I didn’t really know what to expect,” Freeman said. “I thought it was just going to be about cooking chili, with all the rides, all the little kids, the grandmas and grandpas, you know, everyone’s here, so it was nice.”
According to the festival’s website, Freeman was one of more than 60 local businesses open throughout the festivities. Despite the long hours, Freeman said she enjoyed getting to know the community..
“It’s been great,” said Freeman. “Work-wise, I have pretty long hours because it goes until 10 a.m., but it’s been really nice to see the community. It’s been really fun to chat with everyone and of course get the word out about my product.”
The weekend did have a certain spice, however, as the chilli cooking competition that gave the festival its name took place. This year, eight participants competed for the honor of three prizes – the best vegan chilli, the best meat chilli and the audience award.
The awards for vegan chili and meat chili were decided by more than a dozen judges, while the People’s Choice Award was open to all festival attendees. Voting was open from Friday to Saturday and after thousands of bowls were emptied, a clear winner was announced on Sunday. The aptly named Chili Preppers took a clear win, taking home all three awards.
Admission was $40 this year, but was reduced to $20 for Labor Day Family Day. The festival again partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, which receives all proceeds from the chili cook-off.
There was also a lot of fun to be had outside of the competition. For a fee, festival visitors could enjoy roller coasters, fairground games, live music, a small skateboard park, a haunted house and even a small pickleball court.
The festival has become a Labor Day staple for Malibu and even for some former Pepperdine students like alumna Chloé Boudames (’21).
“I’ve been coming here since I started my freshman year at Pepperdine in 2017,” Boudames said. “I just think it’s cool that there’s an event in Malibu at all. I think Malibu needs more events, and so I think it’s exciting and something to look forward to. It brings the community together.”
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