All the Details On the New Chili Cook-off Beer Garden

West Chester Chili Cook-off returns on Sunday. Look for a new a nonprofit showcase, a new high school cooking competition and a new beer garden.

Cara Corridoni

October 3, 2024

2–3 minutes

West Chester Chili Cook-off Kicks Off Tomorrow

*She’s excited. Who’s else? Levante will be on Gay St. for the 2024 Chili Cook-off.*

West Chester Chili Cook-off returns on Sunday under new leadership. This spring, the West Chester Rotary Club made the difficult decision to back away from its popular Chili Cook-off turning it over to Fiorenza’s Food for Friends (F4). The nonprofit food brokerage firm has big plans for their era of the event including a nonprofit showcase, a high school cooking competition and a new beer garden.

Earlier this month, I spoke with Levante Director of Retail Operations Andrew Tuffner about the brewery’s participation in this inaugural event.

HWC: How did Levante get involved in this year’s event?

Andrew: We worked with Fiorenza’s Food for Friends (F4) [on] our annual H.O.P. (Helping Other People) parties, which were designed to give back to local food banks or charities. So when Brenda and Derek reached out to let us know they were thinking of doing a beer garden, we were honored to be considered a part of such a great event.

HWC: Where will the beer garden be located? How will it work?

Andrew: The footprint of the beer garden will be on Church Street between Gay and Chestnut Streets. Customers can enter for a small fee, which includes their first beer or cider. We’re also excited to have Riko and Whaler Collective performing. They are one of our brewery favorites.

HWC: What beers will be available?

Andrew: Anywhere from beautifully crafted pilsners and lagers to our well-known hazy IPAs. We plan to have a great mix of beers that will go great with chili. We will also have our Honeyfire Rose Cider on tap as well.

HWC: Will there be wine/liquor options available?

Andrew: For the first year, we are focused on offering only Levante beer and cider selections with the hopes we could expand for next year.

HWC: Anything else people should know?

Andrew: We are honored to be asked to participate In the first-ever beer garden for the Chili Cook-Off. We saw that it was only fitting, given our history with giving back to our local charities!

Thanks, Andrew. A cup of chili and a pint of Cloudy – sounds like a pretty good fall afternoon to me. The Chili Cook-off returns to Gay St. on Sunday, Oct. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. Plan on attending? Avoid the lines and pre-order your wrist band here.

Originally published on Sept. 27, 2024

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