DoubleTree Chili Wins Big at Lansing Cook-Off

The restaurant earned top honors and three People's Choice awards at the annual event held at Jackson Field.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Food and Drink

Screen-print poster illustration of a rustic chili bowl with cilantro and lime, representing a local culinary competition win. — The DoubleTree restaurant's short rib chili took top honors at this year's Lansing Chili Cook-Off, held at Jackson Field. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Lansing Chili Cook-Off drew approximately 1,000 attendees to Jackson Field this weekend. The DoubleTree short rib chili secured both the grand judges' prize and three People's Choice categories.

Why it matters

The competition highlights local culinary talent and showcases popular regional flavors as the event continues its successful tenure at its new venue.

The DoubleTree short rib entry swept the competition by winning the judges' choice and three separate People's Choice categories. Approximately 1,000 people attended the event, marking its second year at Jackson Field.

The players

DoubleTree

This hotel restaurant took home the grand prize and three People's Choice categories for its short rib chili.

The details

Local businesses competed in a taste-testing format where attendees sampled various entries to determine the best chili in the Lansing area. The event previously took place at Adado Riverfront Park before relocating to its current venue.

October 25, 2026: The Lansing Chili Cook-Off took place at Jackson Field.

Industry Dynamics

This year marks the second iteration of the cook-off at Jackson Field, signaling a shift in venue preference away from the event's historical home at Adado Riverfront Park. Such relocations often reflect broader trends in city festival management aimed at improving attendee logistics.

Attendees at the event gained unlimited access to taste testing, providing a cost-effective way to sample a wide array of local business offerings. The move to Jackson Field remains the central venue for public engagement with the city's food scene.

The takeaway

Events like this serve as a vital showcase for local hospitality businesses to connect directly with the community. Residents interested in regional food scenes should look for similar cook-offs to support local chefs and sample distinct, award-winning recipes.