Salt, fat, acid and heat. These are considered to be the four elements of cooking, and heat in particular is what drives the Lexington County Chili Cookoff, which will return to the Icehouse Amphitheater on Feb. 15.
With bragging rights on the table, the 2026 event promises a diverse culinary experience, featuring more than 25 cook teams competing for your tastebuds. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a wide variety of unique chili recipes ranging from traditional beef to creative specialty blends.
Beyond the competition, the cookoff serves as a major fundraising engine for the region. Proceeds from the event directly support the Town of Lexington Police Foundation and several other local charitable organizations, helping to fund community safety initiatives and outreach programs…