Saint Paul’s Favorite Vegan Chili Competition Is Back!
Vegan Byy Nature’s award-winning chili at the 2025 competition. Photo credit to the incredible Murph D Studios.
Spring has finally arrived — and so has your favorite chili competition! After a delayed start to the season in the Twin Cities, we’re thrilled to bring back the Vegan Chili Cook-Off and gather our community around some incredible food.
This year, local chefs will go head-to-head to earn the title of Minnesota’s best vegan chili. Come sample every single entry and cast your vote for the winner — your taste buds are the judge!
How the Vegan Chili Cook-Off Works
- Come to the North Star Ballroom inside the Saint Paul Student Center
- Check in at the check-in table, and purchase your ticket if needed
- Grab your plate and utensils
- Follow the line to make a circuit around to each competitor’s table. Each chili sample is labeled with a different number
- Eat your chilis!
- Use the voting forms on your table to rate each chili (if you don’t bring your smartphone, you can use the voting tablet at the check-in table to vote)
Tickets, Admission & Volunteering
- FREE for college students with student ID, volunteers, and children under 15
- $10 tickets for the general public (cash, card, or online) — pre-purchase your ticket here to save your seat!
- A variety of volunteer slots are open – during, before, and after the event. Sign up to volunteer! Thank you to all our volunteers. (In addition to your free ticket, there will be some extra food available for you to fuel your volunteer work.)
Raffle, Prizes & Ways to Give Back
- When you enter, you get a raffle ticket to win snacks and prizes. Stay til the end of the event for a chance to win raffle items!
- Want to contribute to your community? Bring hygiene items (like new toothpaste and toilet paper) or plant-based food items. We’ll donate the items to a local food shelf and post a photo afterwards.
The 2026 Competitors
We are pleased to welcome the following competitors to the competition!:
Everyone Is Welcome — Vegan or Not!
All are welcome at this event, regardless of age, race, or any other demographic – and whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, flexitarian, or still figuring it out. Great chili is for everyone!
Why a Vegan Chili Cook-Off? The Case for Plant-Based Meals
Plant-based food lowers the risk of certain chronic diseases; has lower land, water, and carbon footprints; and is an act of care and compassion for our animal relatives. This event is a great way to explore how delicious and varied plant-based diets are!
Last year’s competitors! Photo credit to Murph D Studios.
About the Organizers: Compassionate Action for Animals @ UMN
This event is organized by the University of Minnesota student chapter of Compassionate Action for Animals. A huge thank you to officers Ronan, Guinevere, and Blake for pulling it all together! Are you a student who cares about farmed animals and plant-based eating? Find the org on GopherLink here, or talk to the students at the CAA @ UMN table during the event.
Stay warm, stay fed, and celebrate spring with your community.
