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welve chili chefs served nearly 300 tasters at this year’s annual Chili Cookoff.

Every year, chili chefs compete on the lawn of the Oriental Marina & Inn to find out who has the best chili – ranked by the competition’s judges, and the tasters themselves.

Judge’s Choice:
1st Place: Gretchen’s Bistro
2nd Place: Larry Summers / DAV
3rd Place: Toucan Grill

Gretchen’s Kitchen won first in both People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice.

People’s Choice:
1st Place: Gretchen’s Bistro
2nd Place: Larry Summers / DAV
3rd Place: Mariposa Wine Bar & Bakery

Chili supply gets low at the end of the day.

Spirit Award:
1st Place: St. Thomas Episcopal
2nd Place: Mariposa Wine Bar & Bakery
3rd Place: Marine Corp League

The most difficult thing about participating in the Chili Cookoff isn’t getting the recipe right; it’s making 5 gallons of it. Whatever isn’t consumed during the initial tasting is sold off at the end. That money, combined with funds from baked goods and ticket sales, goes to support The Old Theater.

Larry Summers and the DAV crew took home second place.

This year’s fundraiser brought in $3,467. It will help pay for upkeep and equipment while the non-profit organization fulfills its mission of providing a venue for civic events, the children’s theater, movies, plays, and musical performances throughout the year.

Per Erichsen was the Master of Ceremonies.

Badges waiting on volunteers.

Moments before the tasters arrive.

Brant Island Strings play on the Tiki Bar Deck.

Joe took a postcard worthy photo.

Chili from The Provision Company, winners of best Marine Store chili.

Brant Island Strings played for the cookoff while chefs served a chili named after the band.

Writing notes, ranking their choices.

The Chili Cookoff crowd on the lawn of the Oriental Marina & Inn.

The Chili Chef for Mariposa hands out samples.

Dragon trophies waiting for a winner.

It’s never too early to ponder entering the 2026 Chili Cook-off, or work on the recipes for next year’s bake sale. There is no fee to enter and businesses, groups and individuals are all welcome.

If you’ve got the spicy credentials, contact president@oldtheater.org.

The Old Theater is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that provides the people of Oriental and Pamlico County a venue for cultural and civic events.

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Photos by Joe Clark.

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Posted Tuesday October 28, 2025 by Allison DeWeese