THE 8TH ANNUAL
7 MILE HOUSE ADOBO COOKOFF for a cause
A Filipino Food Competition and Community Fundraiser in the San Francisco Bay Area
AUGUST 29, 2026, 11AM - 1PM
Adobo CookOff for a Cause 2022 Champ George Andrews comes to attend our Adobo Cookoff every year!
The Adobo Cook Off for a Cause is 7 Mile House's annual adobo tasting competition and fundraiser celebrating one of the Philippines’ most beloved dishes: Adobo. Sample six unique adobo recipes, enjoy unlimited rice and drinks, vote for your favorite, and help support a local nonprofit.
Each year, home cooks and chefs compete for two titles: People's Choice ( YOU, the ticket holder) and Critics' Choice (a select panel of judges). Every ticket helps raise funds for a community cause while celebrating one of the Philippines' most iconic dishes.
This Year’s Cause
In 2025, we raised $4,000 in just 2 hours in support of the GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) Men’s Chorus.
This year, we are proud to partner with San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District, SOMA Pilipinas, as our designated beneficiary, who will receive 100% of the proceeds from the Adobo Cookoff!
Why compete?
• Compete for People's Choice and Critics' Choice honors
• Win prizes and a Guest Chef spotlight at 7 Mile House
• Share your recipe and story with hundreds of food lovers
• Help raise money for a local nonprofit
Key Dates
NOW - Open for nominations
Aug 4 - Nominations end on 11:59 pm
Aug 5 - Last day to submit Adobo samples for consideration at 7 Mile House
Aug 6 - Nominees* informed of acceptance via email
Aug 8 - Contestants** announced on website & social media
Aug. 29 - Contest time is 11am-1pm, voting ends by 1pm, winner announced after votes are counted before 2pm
How It Works
🎟️ Tickets
$50 in advance
$55 at the door
Choose your tasting time:
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
🎫 Each Ticket Includes:
One hour to sample all 6 competing Adobo recipes
Unlimited Jasmine rice
Bottomless Red Horse Beer (21+ only) or refillable non-alcoholic drinks
A ballot to vote for your favorite adobo and leave feedback
🗳️ How Voting Works
Taste, vote, and make your voice heard! After the 1PM deadline, ballots are counted and winners announced shortly after.
Why Two Time Slots?
This is a fundraiser, and we want to host as many adobo lovers as possible! We kindly ask 11AM ticket holders to give up their seats at noon for the next group. Stick around for the awards ceremony shortly after 1PM, at 7 Mile House and streamed live on Facebook and Instagram.
Awards & Judges
🏆 Two Coveted Titles:
People’s Choice – Chosen by YOU, the guests/ticket holders
Critics’ Choice – Selected by our panel of 3 distinguished judges are chosen every year to help crown this award
Supporting the Cause
100% of event proceeds go to the year’s recipient. This year, our beneficiary is SOMA Pilipinas! 7 Mile House donates the space, food, drinks, and staff, proudly making this our biggest annual fundraiser—raising over $20,000 in the last seven years!
what’s in it for the cook?
🥇 Adobo Cook Off Champions Get:
People’s Choice Title
Critics’ Choice Title
Curated gift basket from 7 Mile House
Prizes from our Sponsors
$100 gift certificate
Guest Chef spotlight at 7 Mile House
Winner’s Plaque
Features on our social media and blog
And, of course… bragging rights for life!
To learn more about how you can fundraise at 7 Mile House, click HERE.
Ticketholders responsibly receive unlimited Red Horse Beer (21 & up)
our PAST ADOBO COOKOFF CHAMPS:
2025 - Mhaysie Ruiz (Critics’ Choice and People’s Choice)
2024 - Robert Benavides (Critics’ Choice) / Jean Danao (People’s Choice)
2022 - George Andrews (Critics’ Choice) / Aleli Crutchfield (People’s Choice)
2021 - Aurora Garcia (Critic’s Choice) / Neo Veavea (People’s Choice)
2019 - Paola Tiano
2018 - Josi Bartlett
2017 - Mama Becky Gonzales
Note that we skipped 2023 due to our family’s health.
Frequently asked questions
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The 7 Mile House Adobo Cookoff is an annual Filipino food competition and community fundraiser hosted by 7 Mile House in Brisbane, California. Home cooks, chefs, and adobo lovers compete to see who makes the best version of this beloved Filipino dish.
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Filipino adobo is a classic dish usually made with meat, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Every family has its own version, which is exactly what makes the Adobo Cookoff so fun.
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The event is held at 7 Mile House, an historic family and dog friendly restaurant and sports bar in Brisbane, California, serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Yes. 7 Mile House is family friendly, and the Adobo Cookoff is designed as a community event for guests of all ages.
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Yes. 7 Mile House is dog friendly, especially in outdoor areas where available.
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Ticket details may vary by year, but admission typically includes one tasting from each Adobo Cookoff contestant, bottomless rice, and bottomless Red Horse Filipino beer. Non-alcoholic beverage options are also available. Most importantly, your ticket gives you the opportunity to celebrate Filipino culture, connect with the community, and support a meaningful cause.
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Yes, when contestant nominations are open we usually pick 5-6 contestants to participate in the Cookoff. You be either a home cook or professional chef…and no professional chefs don’t always win ;) Check the event page above for current nomination details and deadlines.
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Two awards are presented each year: People's Choice and Critic's Choice.
The People's Choice winner is determined by ballots submitted by event attendees after tasting the contestants' adobo.
The Critic's Choice winner is selected by a panel of three distinguished judges who evaluate each entry based on their expertise and help crown the year's champion.
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Contestants often bring their own personal, family, regional, or creative interpretation of adobo. That variety is the heart of the competition.
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The Adobo Cookoff is a fundraiser, and the beneficiary may change by year. The current event page should list the nonprofit or community organization being supported.