Florida State and Sunshine State POD cook-offs
Sat, Dec 12, 2026 and Sun, Dec 13, 2026 · Homosassa, FL · CASI-sanctioned
Our take written by Chili Times
Nature's Resort on Halls River Rd in Homosassa hosts two CASI cook-offs on consecutive days, and the CASI list marks both with the status New Date. The Florida State Cookoff on Saturday is a state qualifier with CASI, Open and Salsa categories at $20 each, turning in at 12pm, 1pm and 1:30pm. The public is invited to grab a tasting cup, and the listing names Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa as the cause; its charity field reads TBA.
The Sunshine State POD Cookoff on Sunday is a POD qualifier for cooks, with no public tasting. Entry is $20 with a 12pm turn-in. Both days require Chili Grind meat.
Our plain-language reading of the sanctioning body's listing quoted on this page. It adds no facts of its own.
Florida State Cookoff Sat, Dec 12, 2026
12/12/2026 status: New Date Florida State Cookoff 10359 W. Halls River Rd Homosassa FL 34448 AQ: Yes :Qualifier Type: State turn in: 12pm Fee: $20.00 Meat Requirement: Chili Grind Charity: TBA
| Entry fee | $20.00 |
|---|---|
| Turn-in | 12pm |
| Meat requirement | Chili Grind |
| AQ (qualifier) | Yes (State) |
| Charity | TBA |
For visitors
The CASI Florida State Chili Championship is coming to Nature's Resort in Homosassa, FL, and every bowl cooked and every cup .
Bring your best red for CASI, throw down in Open chili, or bring the heat with Salsa.
Entry is $20 per category, so cook them all if you dare.
Turn-in times are 12pm for CASI, 1pm for Open, and 1:30pm for Salsa.
The public is invited too!
Come hungry and grab a tasting cup to sample some of the finest chili and salsa Florida has to offer, all while supporting local kids through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa.
Sunshine State POD Cookoff Sun, Dec 13, 2026
12/13/2026 status: New Date Sunshine State POD Cookoff 10359 W Halls River Rd Homosassa FL 34448 AQ: Yes :Qualifier Type: POD turn in: 12pm Fee: $20.00 Meat Requirement: Chili Grind Charity: Sunshine State POD
| Entry fee | $20.00 |
|---|---|
| Turn-in | 12pm |
| Meat requirement | Chili Grind |
| AQ (qualifier) | Yes (POD) |
| Charity | Sunshine State POD |
For visitors
The Sunshine State POD is hosting a chili cookoff at Nature's Resort in Homosassa, FL.
This one is for the cooks, no public tasting this time, just good chili, good company, and a chance to earn your points.
Entry is $20, with turn-in at 12pm.
How to enter
Although one does not have to be a member of CASI to participate in chili cookoffs
**On all the events listed, CASI RULES APPLY!
Check before you go. Cook-off dates, fees and details change, and events can be cancelled. Confirm on CASI: Event List, Next 90 Days and CASI: Event List, Next 90 Days; we last found these words there on November 2, 2026.
Other Florida cook-offs on the calendar
By date, not a ranking.
- Moosehaven Annual Chili Cook-off · Sat, Nov 14, 2026
- Palm Coast Chili Cook-offs at European Village · Sat, Dec 5, 2026
- Winter garden Chili Weather Cookoff · Fri, Jan 22, 2027
- 8th Annual PAW Chili Challenge · Sat, Jan 23, 2027