Big changes are in store for the 2020 edition of the Puerto Vallarta Chili Cook-Off. For starters, we say goodbye to our long-time home El Rio BBQ Bar and its owner Kurt Sinner. El Rio has been a great host for the Cook-Off and we thank Kurt for all his assistance and dedication to the Cook-Off over the past 8 years. However, most welcomed growth in attendance (50% increase each of the past two years) had us looking for more space.
On February 22, 2020, the 8th Annual Cook-Off will be held on the grounds of Parque Parota, most recently home to the Puerto Vallarta Tennis Open. We are excited to be partnering with the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Department who have helped us secure this wonderful location. Located at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio # 2264 in front of the Hotel Puerto de Luna and across the street from Isla del Sol, our new home is in the heart of the Hotel Zone. We will be conducting a special marketing campaign to the nearby hotels to attract a large number of short-stay tourists as well as a bilingual campaign to attract all those citizens living in the adjoining Colonias (neighborhoods). This large area will let us welcome even more attendees, more chili vendors each with more space, allow faster lines (for chili and beer), more activities, more vendors, more bands, etc.
Look for continual updates on the event in this section of our website. And please sign up for our eNewsletter, The Chili Digest, which covers the Cook-Off, updates on The Jay Sadler Project, as well as other items of interest to all residents, full and part-time, of the greater Bay of Banderas area.