For the 16th year in a row, the Jacksonville Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section will host the 2026 Chili Cook-Off on Feb. 21, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., promising a day of fiery flavors, community fun and charitable giving.
This year, the event benefits St. Mary’s food pantry, supporting efforts to fight food insecurity in our community and assist neighbors in need.
Teams from law firms across town will prepare their best chili recipes and compete for prizes.
A panel of judges will select the winners for Best Overall Chili, Spiciest Chili, Meatiest Chili, Most Original Recipe, Team Spirit, Best Fixin’s and Best Cornbread.
The event is free and open to everyone.
The public is invited to the Riverside Arts Market to freely sample competing chilis and cast their votes for Crowd Favorite, ensuring that everyone — from amateur chili fans to fiery pepper aficionados — plays their part in crowning the next people’s choice.
All proceeds from team registrations and sponsorships benefit The Market at St. Mary’s. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and Outreach Mission has a legacy of more than 60 years committed to feeding our neighbors.
In the 1960s, this took the form of a parish soup kitchen, which evolved to a market-style pantry allowing guests their choice of dry goods, fresh and frozen foods and organic seasonal produce grown in St. Mary’s gardens.
In The Market, our neighbors who find themselves in need of assistance can plan healthy meals for their families in a pleasant environment that prioritizes dignity and community.
Through strong grocery partnerships, an organic gardening program, a dedicated volunteer team and the support of other churches and civic groups, the Market at St. Mary’s has increased its capacity to serve nearly 200 households every week.
The JBA YLS is thrilled to be supporting this local program and looks forward to seeing the legal community join in the effort to support the mission.
Gene Nichols, partner of the law firm Nichols and Pina, signed his team up and agreed to be one of the sponsors when he learned the event would support St. Mary’s.
“The St. Mary’s Food Pantry provides immediate support to families facing food insecurity by offering nutritious meals to those in urgent need,” Nichols said. “Each Sunday, my wife and I have the privilege of bringing groceries to St. John’s Cathedral Downtown which go directly to St. Mary’s.
“I am proud to have another avenue to support this essential resource that serves our community’s most vulnerable members.”