Chili Challenge event brings the heat to campus to raise awareness for National Fire Prevention Week
Challengers attempt to eat their entire bowl of chili before showing it to an event judge to receive a pass or fail. Photo by Darren Van Dyke for Virginia Tech.
This year is the 35th consecutive Chili Challenge by Virginia Tech Dining Services. The event, hosted in Dietrick Hall by D2, raises awareness for National Fire Prevention Week. The competition is held the first week of every October and is open to all. This year's event is Oct. 6-10.
Sweatin' it out
Participants test themselves with a five-day spicy eating challenge to win a themed T-shirt newly designed each year. Chefs at D2 add peppers and hot sauces to a core chili recipe for the week, building each day's bowl from mildest to hottest.
- Day 1: Poblano peppers
- Day 2: Jalapeno peppers
- Day 3: Serrano peppers
- Day 4: Thai peppers and habanero peppers
- Day 5: Carolina reaper peppers
If competitors eat each bowl served to them over all five days, they win a prize.
Director of Dining Services Brian Grove said completing the challenge has become a core campus event and hotly anticipated event among students.
“A student once came in on day four and said he couldn't be here for day five but wanted to eat his fifth bowl to earn his shirt,” said Grove. “The manager at the time spiced up the fifth and final bowl for him that day. To this day, I don't know how the student completed the bowl or how the spoon didn't melt.”
Because the Chili Challenge theme changes each year, the prize shirts, event space, and other merchandise always spice things up. This gives a chance for students, staff, and visitors to not only join the festivities but immerse themselves in the event.
Feel the burn
Plans for the Chili Challenge have become more elaborate each year. Dining Services’ 30th event in 2020 earned a Gold Loyal E. Horton award and the Grand Prize award from the National Association of College and University Food Services.
A competitor from the 30th anniversary Chili Challenge in 2020. Photo by Darren Van Dyke for Virginia Tech.
The chili used includes various hot sauces to enhance the spicy effect. Photo by Darren Van Dyke for Virginia Tech.
“We knew that we wanted the 30th anniversary to be special and had big plans for it, but then the pandemic happened,” Senior Associate Director of Dining Services Brandon Hendricks said. “Instead of postponing it, we decided that holding the event and finding a way to still make it work was more important. As always, it was a hit.”
Chili Challenge has also won numerous marketing and advertising awards, including the Howard Packett Award for Creative Excellence in 2024.
Day four is rumored to be where things get difficult. Photo by Darren Van Dyke for Virginia Tech.
Some of the peppers used in the chili come from Homefield Farm. Photo by Darren Van Dyke for Virginia Tech.
Chili Challenge is one of Dining Service's longest running events and has consistently been one of the most popular.
“This has turned into a generational event,” Associate Director of Dining Services John Barrett said. “I love it when I hear the parents telling their kids about when they did the Chili Challenge at D2. You know you’re doing something great for them to enjoy when they are excited about doing it year after year.”
This year's Chili Challenge honors legendary rock bands with a spicy twist. Photo by Darren Van Dyke for Virginia Tech.
