WFC Returns to Bentonville for 10th Final Table Showdown
![WFC Returns to Bentonville for 10th Final Table Showdown](/images/news/2017-wfc-final-table-98_zpsgdnmhasl1_1.jpg)
With the 10th Annual World Food Championships (WFC) now complete and certified, the producers of the competition announced today the next key step for its ten category champions as they set their sights on the event’s $100,000 Final Table culinary challenge.
Often referred to as “The Ultimate Food Fight,” WFC’s final round of competition will occur in Bentonville, Arkansas, the home of the world’s largest retailer and WFC’s exclusive retail partner, Sam’s Club.
All ten category champions who just won their divisions in Dallas will now travel to Bentonville in mid May to compete in three more local culinary challenges to see who the next World Food Champion will be.
“We are really excited to be partnering with Sam’s Club and expanding our relationship in a way that benefits Food Champs everywhere,” said Mike McCloud, President and CEO of WFC. “Sam’s and Walmart have been great supporters of WFC over the years. And now it’s time to enter the next phase of our strategy, which will involve a lot more integrations of strategic suppliers and retail concepts that will take Food Sport to a whole new level.”
The ten category champions who will be heading to Bentonville in May are:
-
Bacon World Champion – Jodi Taffel from Altadena, California
-
World Barbecue Champion – Sterling Smith from Scottsdale, Arizona
-
World Burger Champion – Dave Elliott from Olathe, Kansas
-
World Dessert Champion – Bethany Boedicker from Galveston, Texas
-
World Rice / Noodle Champion – Dan Reighn from San Jose, California
-
World Soup Champion – Rocky Julianelle from East Haven, Connecticut
-
World Sandwich Champion – Damon Holter from Hudson, Wisconsin
-
World Seafood Champion – John McFadden from Sydney, Australia
-
World Invitational Steak Champion – Peter Armendariz from Rowena, Texas
-
World Vegetarian Champion – Casey Jones from Jacksonville, Florida
The event will be mostly private, as the final champs will be treated to a Sam’s Club tour, reception and “Supplier Summit” that involves a fun competition for bragging rights. The events will start on Friday, May 19th and culminate on May 21st. The WFC final challenges will occur at BRIGHTWATER, a center for the study of food.
Like previous Final Table events, the 2022 finalists will participate in an elimination process that narrows the ten Food Champs to five, then three, and ultimately one winner. More details on the specific challenges will be revealed to the contestants during planning sessions over then next three months.
Bentonville and BRIGHTWATER are no strangers to Food Sport, as the same partners were the first to host an offsite Final Table for WFC in 2018. That was the year that Steak Champion Lisa Gawtney became the World Food Champion with her dish titled “The Last Supper,” which featured a Wagyu Ribeye Filet, grilled and seared, topped with truffle butter sauteed mushrooms, seared Fois Gras, and an Amarone reduction
Teams will be allowed to invite key family members and guests to the event, but details on how many and what times have not yet been released.
“We have a robust schedule of events that we are working through details on right now,” commented McCloud. “So as we can share public-facing moments with our fans, we will make announcements on our social platforms.”
To stay up-to-date on all culinary competition news, by following the World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).
About Brightwater
Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, serves as a hub for food training, activities, events and business in Northwest Arkansas. In addition to workforce readiness in the expanding hospitality sector, the school’s goal is to explore the larger food world in theory and practice, specifically focusing on agriculture and food issues within the context of community development such as farming, health, food entrepreneurship and public education. Brightwater is one of the most well-rounded, thoughtful and innovative programs in the nation. The school’s global understanding, regional roots and community engagement make it a cultural destination for the entire food experience.
About World Food Championships
The World Food Championships (WFC) is the highest stakes food competition in the world. This multi-day, live event culinary competition showcases some of the world's best cooks who compete for food, fame and fortune in 12 categories (Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Cocktail, Dessert, Live Fire, Rice/Noodle, Sandwich, Seafood, Soup and Vegetarian). Each year as Food Sport kicks off in January, teams have to earn their way into WFC by winning a Golden Ticket at a previous competition. Almost 40 countries and every state in America have been represented at WFC’s main event, which has awarded more than $2.5 million in cash to rising culinary talent since 2012.
WFC’s judging process requires certification in the proprietary E.A.T.™ methodology. Click here to learn more about getting certified online or in person.« Back to News
Subscribe for
Email Notifications SUBMIT
Archive
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- November 2022
- October 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013