The Cork Fun Chili Cook-Off started in 2004 as “Jonathan’s Fun Chili Cook-Off” when a group of Tucsonans met casually to enjoy a beverage and a meal at The Cork, (formerly Jonathan’s Cork) a well-known and beloved Tucson restaurant found at the intersection of N. Wilmot Road and E. Tanque Verde.
Since 2004, the 100% volunteer-run annual chili cook-off event has been hosted on either the first or second Saturday of October each year at The Cork. In that time, the event has raised more than $288,000 for the benefit of the Arizona Sportsmen’s Fund – “Send a Kid to Camp” charitable organization that works for the benefit of less privileged children located in Southern Arizona.