CINCINNATI – There’s no better time than National Chili Month to celebrate Cincinnati-style chili, the ultimate people pleaser and a Cincinnati food tradition unlike any other. This October, Gold Star is marking the occasion with some of our favorite Flavor Makers to help fight local childhood hunger through the Freestore Foodbank.
National Chili Month is a month designated to celebrate the dish’s cultural uniqueness by region and its beloved status as comfort food throughout the United States. There is no greater example of that tradition than Cincinnati-style chili, which, despite its name, is enjoyed by scores of people on both sides of the Ohio River.
Continuing its tradition of honoring its loyal guests and the community at large, Gold Star will donate a portion of the sale from any chili menu item sold during October to the Freestore Foodbank. Gold Star invites the public to enjoy its delicious Cheese Coneys, Ways, Chili Burgers, Loaded Chili Cheese Fries, Chili Salads, and Goritos alike – all while supporting the Freestore Foodbank’s efforts to help fight local childhood hunger.
“National Chili Month presents us with the perfect opportunity to do two things we at Gold Star love: celebrate our hometown’s iconic dish and give back to the community that has supported us now for 60 years and counting,” said Gold Star President and CEO Roger David. “Our partnership with the Freestore Foodbank has raised nearly $250,000 – that’s more than 750,000 meals – in just eight years. With this year’s campaign, we are excited to once again assist in the fight against local childhood hunger.”
Gold Star will celebrate several Flavor Makers who are adding real Cincinnati flavor to our community. The campaign recognizes and honors those who help make our region better every day through their efforts and advocacy. In spreading the word about Gold Star’s National Chili Month celebrations, the Flavor Makers will help showcase the spirit and flavor of our community while encouraging the public to join in the effort to help feed local children in need. This is why Gold Star is proud to have a special honorary Flavor Maker this year in Kurt Reiber, President and CEO of the Freestore Foodbank. Reiber, who will be retiring from his position in summer 2026, has worked with Gold Star since the beginning of its National Chili Month partnership with his organization.
Gold Star’s 2025 National Chili Month Flavor Makers are:
– Kurt Reiber, President & CEO, Freestore Foodbank
– Tianay Amat, President & CEO, Cincinnati Works
– Rickell Howard Smith, President & CEO, YWCA Greater Cincinnati
– Brent Billingsley, Artist & Behavioral Health Specialist, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
– Deborah Brant, President & CEO, Cincinnati Ballet
– Elizabeth Pierce, President & CEO, Cincinnati Museum Center
– Siri Imani, CEO, Imani Productions and Co-founder, Triiibe Foundation
– Rocky Boiman, Co-host of “The Eddie & Rocky Show” on 700WLW, College Football Analyst, ESPN
As the largest emergency food and services provider to children and families in Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana, the Freestore Foodbank supports over 600 community partners in 20 counties across the Tri-State. The 2024 National Chili Month campaign raised approximately $45,000 for the Freestore Foodbank, enabling the nonprofit organization to provide 135,000 meals to children in need throughout the region.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Gold Star during my time with the Freestore Foodbank as their National Chili Month campaign has had a true, positive impact on those affected by food insecurity in the Tri-State,” said Reiber. “In much the same manner that there is nothing quite like Cincinnati-style chili, there’s nothing quite like the dedication Gold Star has shown in assisting us each October as part of National Chili Month. It’s an honor to make this year’s list of Flavor Makers and continue that tradition!”
Supporting the cause is even easier when guests use the new Gold Star Rewards app. All month long, Gold Star Rewards members can unlock a $0.60 BOGO Ways* offer when they visit in October and use their app.
Gold Star hours for National Chili Month vary by location; guests can visit a participating Gold Star to support the Freestore Foodbank via dine-in, drive-thru, carryout, online, or in the new Gold Star Rewards app. To stay updated with Gold Star’s latest National Chili Month news, visit https://www.goldstarchili.com/flavormakers.
*Buy any regular 3-, 4- or 5-Way, get one of equal or lesser value for just $0.60.
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ABOUT GOLD STAR
At Gold Star, we’ve been serving our guests delicious Cincinnati-style Chili since 1965 when the Daoud brothers bought a restaurant in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Mt. Washington. They wanted to make chili the right way: always fresh, never frozen and made in small batches to ensure quality. Crafted from our founders’ secret family recipe of 13 perfectly blended spices to make Cincinnati’s classic chili favorites the Cheese Coney, and 3-, 4- and 5-Way Chili Spaghetti. Our menu offers something to make everyone happy from fresh grilled-to-order burgers, southern-style chicken sandwiches, vegetarian chili, double-decker deli sandwiches to loaded French fries, hand-tossed salads and 100% real ice cream shakes. It may not be what you would expect from a neighborhood chili parlor, but we’re not big on labels anyway. We invite all of our guests to come as you are, like what you like, and follow your own recipe.
Today, Gold Star has more than 55 corporate- and franchise-owned locations throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and is actively developing new franchise opportunities in the region. For more information, visit www.goldstarchili.com. Gold Star is hiring for all positions with competitive pay and benefits; apply to join our team at: https://www.goldstarchili.com/careers.
