It’s Déjà Vu: Snowmass hosts second annual chili cookoff, brew sampling

From the event organizers with Snowmass Rendezvous, the village returns with Snowmass Déjà Vu, a chili cookoff and beer sampling event.

Déjà Vu, which is an homage to years past with the Snowmass Craft Beer and Chili Pepper & Brew festivals, will run from 2-6 pm, on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Snowmass Mall.

Tickets are $50, and event goers must be at least 21 years old. Once you get your wristband at the event, be prepared for a four hour tasting festival and all you can drink beer, cocktails, ciders, and seltzers.

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Parking is free in Snowmass Base Village Garage, as well as the numbered lots on Carriage Way, except in Lot 6.

Two Parts, a Denver-based agency, helps Snowmass Tourism put on the cook off. The event itself will be retro-inspired and include beer pong, cornhole, and live music in the form of DJs and a band.

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“I know that there was a little bit of a desire from the locals to bring back the old chili and beer festival that used to exist. So, we took a little bit of that inspiration and reinvented it a little bit,” said Two Part’s Keanan Stoner, who has worked with Snowmass Tourism for the last eight years. “So, that’s where the chili component comes from.”

Stoner said event goers should expect around a dozen drink vendors and a dozen chili cookers. He also recalled that last year’s Déjà Vu welcomed around 500 people, and he’s hoping for even more this year.)

One major change from last year to this year is the date. Last year, the event was held in August, but Stoner and Snowmass Tourism felt a September date would make the event better.

“Just to try to hone in on that shift into fall, make sure that eating hot chili feels appropriate — not necessarily in the middle of a hot summer day,” he said.

Chefs and restaurants are also competing to be crowned the chili-cookoff winner. Chilis may be spicy, vegetarian, or even seafood-inspired, and they may come with an extra side, like a mini taco. Chili tasters vote with tokens in voting boxes outside each booth.

“And then at the end, we’ll do a little, kind of funny ceremony and trophy reveal,” Stoner said. “We have a big, dorky trophy to give the winner.”

Snowmass’ The Viceroy won last year — but not everyone was happy about it.

“It was like the corporate restaurant beat all the locals, and everyone was so pissed off in such a friendly, great kind of way,” said Shane Vetter senior events producer at Snowmass Tourism.

As for this year, Stoner sees some other contenders stepping up to the plate, or rather the chili bowl.

“They are obviously a heavy contender and defender. But we also have spots like Stew Pot competing, which you know, their whole thing is stew. So, you gotta imagine they’re gonna bring their A-game, as well,” he said.
Stew Pot, which completed last year with a beef chili, a veggie chili, and a habanero pepper chili, thought it was ironic that they did not win.

“Which is kind of funny because, you know, we do chili for a living, but it was good,” said Fletcher Duke, Stewpot owner. “This is what we do. Chile is our life. The Stew Pot has been making chili for 52 years. So, if you’re gonna come for the king, you better not miss.”

And for Vetter, this friendly trash talk is his favorite part of the whole event.

“There is nothing more contentious and competitive than chefs competing,” he said. “They want to win. They do not want to lose to their neighboring restaurant. They definitely don’t want to lose to the one chef who they like or dislike. So, quite honestly, it’s really fun. And we can get everyone being like, ‘Haha, I beat your ass last year.’”

Regan Mertz can be reached at 970-429-9153 or [email protected].