The community can try out some chili, while supporting island firefighters and their families.
The Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund will present its inaugural Sanibel Chili Challenge 2026 on April 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tahitian Gardens shopping plaza on Sanibel. It will entail a family-friendly chili cook-off featuring local restaurants and firefighters, live entertainment and more.
“We are the community, and the community is us,” Sanibel Fire and Rescue District engineer Ed Zarick, who is the district vice president for the agency’s District 17, said. “We, personally, at the fire district have always enjoy chili cook-offs, and we thought it would be great to have on the island.”
In addition, the proceeds will support the fund and more.
“It is a fundraiser for the Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund, which is a fund we started last year to assist our Sanibel firefighters and their families,” he said. “We also use the money to help the Sanibel Island community.”
Several teams will be taking part in the competition, including a group of island firefighters.
“We’re going to have chili tasting from some of the local restaurants on the island,” Sanibel fire engineer-paramedic and event co-coordinator Bryan Clement said. “We have a total of 10 teams.”
The participants will include: A Bit of Bailey’s, American Legion Post 123, Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill, MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, Sanibel Deli, The Bel Bagels & Deli, The Great White Grill, The Original Cheeburger Cheeburger and Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant, along with the Sanibel fire team.
Made up of local officials, business owners and residents, a panel of judges will decide on the Chili Grand Champion, based on appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, creativity and overall impression.
Meanwhile, attendees will get to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Champion.
“That is completely up to the people,” he said. “Whatever they feel is best.”
The winning teams will receive a trophy.
“And, of course, bragging rights,” Clement added.
They will also receive a keepsake plaque.
“It’ll be trophies that come back every year so we can keep adding to them,” he said.
Drink tickets will be available from the fund for water and sodas.
Cheeburger Cheeburger will offer up beer for sale.
Music will be provided by headliner Eclectic from noon to 2 p.m.
“They’re more classic rock kind of style,” Clement said, adding that the band performs rock hits from the ’60s and beyond. “The Seagulls and Feelin’ Lucky will open for them.”
The fund will have its shirts for sale, including introducing a new Fourth of July one.
“We’ll also be selling the remaining 2026 calendars that we have,” he said. “And there’ll be stickers.”
Event sponsors include EmOcean Coastal Wear, Legion Post 123 and TOI TOI USA.
“We really appreciate their support,” Clement said.
Tasting tickets are a recommended $15 donation and include a free soft drink. Also, when attendees turn in their ticket for their pick for the People’s Choice Champion, they will be entered in a raffle.
“It’s going to be a Yeti soft cooler,” he said, adding that it will be filled with fund merchandise like shirts and stickers, along with other miscellaneous items donated by EmOcean Coastal Wear.
Tickets will also be available for purchase for a second raffle. The winner will receive a larger Yeti cooler also filled with various items and merchandise from the fund, plus items from EmOcean.
The public is encouraged to come out.
“Most of the places don’t even have chili on their menu, so this is a one-a-year kind of thing,” Clement said. “And we want more community involvement with everybody — not just in an emergency.”
For more information, visit https://sanibelfirefighters.com/ or the fund’s Facebook page.
The Tahitian Gardens is at 1975 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Sanibel Chili Challenge 2026
Who
Sanibel Firefighters Benevolent Fund
When
April 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where
Tahitian Gardens, 1975 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Tasting ticket is recommended $15 donation
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email