The 2026 Minden St. Jude Chili Cookoff raised $15,115 for the Minden St. Jude Auction, as cooks, volunteers and community members gathered for a day of food, music and fundraising.
Organizers thanked sponsors, cooking teams, volunteers, bands and tasters for their support, noting favorable weather and strong attendance throughout the event. Proceeds from the cookoff benefit the annual Minden St. Jude Auction, which supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
In the judged competition, Atlas Copco took first place with cook Heath Harrington. Whatachili, cooked by Bo, Christy and Hays Branch, finished second, followed by No Bypass Chili, prepared by steward Burson and Richard Gray, in third place.
People’s Choice awards were led by Gold Standard Chili, cooked by Zach Goodman and Derek Cupples. Blowout After Hours, cooked by Tyler Morgan and Ryan Day of Trinity Operating, placed second, and Tootsies Kitchen, cooked by Chris Bordelon and Heath Harrington, finished third.
Gold Standard Chili also earned Best in Show honors. Smoke Showing, cooked by Austin Jones and Hand Ashley, placed second, and AC Services of Minden, cooked by Kevin and Lanette Humphrey and Davis Lawyer, placed third.
The chili cookoff is one of several community events held during the Minden St. Jude Auction weekend, which raises funds annually for research and treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
