Wisconsin’s Largest Restaurant Chili Cook-Off WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili Returns on March 23

MILWAUKEE – February 27, 2025 (a.k.a. National Chili Day) – Mark your calendars for WMSE’s 23rd annual Rockabilly Chili fundraiser. Wisconsin’s largest restaurant chili cook-off is presented by Lakefront Brewery, Gruber Law Offices, LLC, and Lifetime Door. The chili and the competition heat up on Sunday, March 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MSOE Kern Center, 1245 N. Broadway.

Chili lovers from near and far will gather to taste and vote on more than 40 chilis featuring flavors from the city’s best restaurants, cafes, and caterers. This is an opportunity to indulge in unique chili creations, from traditional to bold and creative interpretations, while supporting WMSE and Milwaukee’s vibrant culinary scene.

“Rockabilly Chili is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of the creativity and community that make Milwaukee so special,” says WMSE Station Manager Tom Crawford. “Every year, we’re amazed by the talent in our city’s food scene, and we’re thrilled to showcase a fresh crop of contenders ready to spice things up.”

Again, this year’s event promises family-friendly entertainment for all ages. DJs Jonny Z from Chicken Shack and Dietrich from Saturday Morning Car Tunes will provide the perfect soundtrack for chili sampling. Kids can join in the fun with coloring and puzzles while Crawford will emcee, keeping the energy high.

Some fan favorites, including Beans and Barley, Red Maple, Ruta’s Fresh Indian Fare, and Twisted Plants, are all returning to defend their titles. At the same time, new participants, such as Caulfield’s, Vier North, Von Trier, and The Social American Tavern, are eager to take home the top prizes.

In addition to the chili competition, WMSE will debut a limited-edition hot sauce – Aces & Eights – from A&M Provisions, crafted exclusively for the event. Guests can vote for their favorite chili in categories such as Best Meat, Best Veggie, Best Heat, Most Unique, and Best Display, making it an interactive experience for everyone.

Tickets for the event are on sale now. Advance tickets are $15, and tickets at the door are $20. Guests can also purchase a bundle of eight tickets for $100. Each ticket includes four chili samples; additional samples are available for purchase. Guests who donate two or more non-perishable food items to the Hunger Task Force will receive two extra sample tickets as a thank-you for their generosity.

WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili fundraiser is made possible with the support of Lakefront Brewery, Gruber Law Offices, LLC, Lifetime Door, MSOE, Clark Graphics, Milwaukee Downtown, Hunger Task Force, Direct Supply, Milwaukee Film, Milwaukee Record, and A&M Provisions.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.wmse.org/chili

About WMSE

“Anti-established” in 1981, WMSE 91.7 FM – Frontier Radio has grown into Milwaukee’s truest and longest-standing music radio institution. A financially independent department of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), WMSE – with a 24-hour free-form format representing every musical genre – has been primarily funded by listening supporters and community partners since 1997. The station’s vision is to educate the listening community by providing a wide selection of musical programming not heard anywhere else in the market. WMSE is Milwaukee’s champion for the city’s diverse community of musicians and artists. For more information, visit www.wmse.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.