The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s annual Chili Cook-Off returns Saturday, Oct. 25, with a record number of teams — 55 — cooking meaty and/or vegetarian chili for cash, plaques and bragging rights.

That’ll be a lot for chiliheads to sample, but a portion of the proceeds from every tasting kit purchased ($15 for eight sample cups) always supports a local cause. This year it will be Haven of Hope, a nonprofit that has been offering support services to current and former foster youth since 1998.

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Awards will be given for Best Amateur Red, Best Amateur Vegetarian Red, Best Professional Red, Best Professional Vegetarian Red, along with People’s Choice, Most Tasted and Best Booth Theme.

Defending their 2024 titles will be the Ric’s Righteous team headed by San Jose’s Ric Gilber

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