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Topping The
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Elite
Qualifiers
Qualifiers
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Canadian BBQ Society
online - August 2022
As the official Canadian organization to promote and represent barbecue in our home country, we are proud to partner with the World Food Championships. The CBBQS will award two Golden Tickets to participate in both the EAT and IBCA rounds of the 2022 World Barbecue Championship. These invitations will be extended to a top team from Western Canada and a top team from Eastern Canada. VIEW SITE -
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Italy- Barbecue Paradise Invitational 2021
in Torino, Italy on July 3-4, 2021
BARBECUE IS ALL ABOUT: FIRE, FOOD, FRIENDSHIP AND FUN. The WBQA - World Barbecue Association is one of the largest organizations in the world that brings together barbecue and outdoor cooking enthusiasts from 5 continents. WBQA coordinates the organization of the European and World BBQ Championships, dedicated to having fun together. The WBQA in Italy is represented by the Outdoor Cooking Association (WBQA Italia). The Barbecue Paradise Invitational is awarding 3 Golden Tickets into WFC’s 2021 World Barbeque Championship. For more information on WBQA, visit: http://www.wbqa.it. VIEW SITE -
Outdoor Cooking Championship
in Puyallup, WA on February 5, 2022
The Outdoor Cooking Championship is the largest competition in the Pacific Northwest incorporating 21 categories and 4 sanctioning bodies over 5 days! The Burger and Salmon competitions on Saturday are WFC gold ticket opportunities, but there are also other ways to qualify for the WFC with 3 Steak Competitions and 2 BBQ Competitions (Hot and Fast & Low and Slow). Love a challenge? Then try one of the other interesting and unique categories including game (red and bird), whole animal, Dutch oven, or Chili. As a fourth year event, every year it has grown to become an annual must come competition for your calendar. VIEW SITE -
Sertoma Chili Cookoff
in Springfield, MO on February 19, 2022
This will be the 40 th Anniversary Chili Cook Off for the Benefit of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield MO. The Competition is open to businesses and individuals alike with over 70 teams entered each year. The event usually draws 8-10,000 people. Attendees sample and vote for their favorite booth while enjoying live bands and activities throughout the day. Judging for the best overall chili is done by professional judges. This year's winner will receive a Golden Ticket with waived entry to compete in WFC’s 2022 World Soup Championship in Dallas this November. For team registration or tickets visit www.sertomachilicookoff.com/ for more information. VIEW SITE -
Baconfest MKE
in Milwaukee, WI on February 27, 2022
Experience the sizzle of 102.9 THE HOG's 10th BACONFEST Milwaukee presented by Patrick Cudahy on Sunday, February 27th, 2022 at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino! Hungry HOG Heads will devour unique bacon creations along with some classic favorites prepared by Southeast Wisconsin’s best chefs and restaurants! As a Preferred Qualifier, BACONFEST will award a Golden Ticket into WFC’s 2022 Bacon World Championship. VIEW SITE -
Taste of America Series- Red Gold
online on March 1-8, 2022
1st, 2nd and 3rd place will received a WFC 2022 waived Golden Ticket (category TBD) + $100 cash prize VIEW SITE -
Gulf Coast Beer & Bacon Festival
in Gulfport, MS on March 5, 2022
Not only are we the Gulf Coast’s premier Beer and Bacon Festival but we’ve added a little something extra for 2022… CHOCOLATE! We will have over 30 Breweries and Restaurants on hand offering beer tastings, plus favorite bacon and chocolate dishes to sample. Through our People’s Choice vote, we’re awarding a waived Golden Ticket opportunity to the BACON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP at WFC2022. All proceeds go to Mississippi Heroes - an organization that celebrates everyday family and professional caregivers like heroes! VIEW SITE -
Taste of America Series- Bolner's Fiesta Products
online on March 14-22, 2022
1st, 2nd and 3rd place will received a WFC 2022 waived Golden Ticket (category TBD) VIEW SITE -
Texas ProStart Invitational
in Frisco, TX on March 25-27, 2022
Teams of students representing their ProStart programs will compete in the Texas ProStart competitions. One qualifying competition is held over one weekend in Dallas, Texas at the Collin College – Preston Ridge Campus. In this qualifier, 50 culinary and 24 management teams compete. First place winning teams in the culinary and management competitions qualify to compete at the National ProStart Invitational. Management Teams will develop and present an original restaurant concept while apply critical thinking skills to everyday challenges. Culinary Teams will prepare a 3-course meal in just 60 minutes with 2 butane burners and limited supplies. This will be judged on knife skills, teamwork, safety/sanitation, tasting, and menu development (recipes and costing). VIEW SITE -
Taste of America Series- La Lechonera Products
online on March 29-April 5, 2022
1st, 2nd and 3rd place will received a WFC 2022 waived Golden Ticket (category TBD) VIEW SITE -
Taste of Lake Murray
in Columbia, SC on March 31, 2022
The “Taste of Lake Murray” event will be an intense culinary battle for local cooks and restaurants to claim their spot on the newest WFC Regional team. The event will be hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Columbia, SC, where more than 20 chefs are expected to create samples for the event’s 800 patrons. VIEW SITE -
Smoke on the Falls BBQ Competition
in Gadsden, AL on April 9, 2022
Gadsden’s Parks and Recreation Department is excited to present the 13th ANNUAL SMOKE ON THE FALLS BBQ COMPETITION at Noccalula Falls Park and Campground. This event features a KCBS-sanctioned competition and includes two popular ancillaries: Our Drunk Chicken Contest and our Cheeseburger in Paradise Contest. Almost 100 Professional and Backyard teams from all over the United States will compete for cash and prizes. The City of Gadsden Parks and Recreation is excited to sponsor this year’s Golden Ticket that will send our next winner straight to Texas for WFC2022. VIEW SITE -
Dubai Battle of the Burgers
in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 9-24, 2022
Announcing the competition to crown the best homemade beef burger in Dubai, by home cooks and amateur chefs! No restaurants or commercialized burgers. Qualifiers will take place over 7 sessions with 4 cooks each. Top 10 Burgers move on to the Semifinals. Then the Finals will feature the top 3 for the title and a waived entry Golden Ticket into the World Burger Championship at the 2022 World Food Championships! VIEW SITE -
Taste of America Series- Red Gold Tomato Love
online on April 12-19, 2022
1st, 2nd and 3rd place will received a WFC 2022 waived Golden Ticket (category TBD) + $100 cash prize VIEW SITE -
Nashville Scene Iron Fork
in Nashville, TN on April 28, 2022
The Nashville Scene's Iron Fork event features four of Nashville's best chefs battle it out in a live cooking competition (with a secret ingredient) judged by a panel of local foodies and celebrities to vie for the coveted "Golden Fork" trophy, entry to the 2022 World Food Championships and more. Attendees got to watch the heated competition go down while also getting to sip and sample unlimited food bites and limited libations from some the the best restaurants in the city. This ticketed, sell-out event benefits the Nashville Food Project. VIEW SITE -
Hogs 4 Heroes
in Jamestown, RI on April 29-May 1, 2022
Hogs 4 Heroes competition will happen at Fort Getty Park and benefits the VFW of Jamestown. On Saturday, the competition features a Dessert competition as well as a Kid’s Q Anything with Bacon. On Sunday, approximately 60 teams will be cooking Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket. Fort Getty is primarily a recreational-vehicle campground that also contains a tent camping area. The Park itself has old fortifications, a rocky beach, a public boat ramp and a dock. Hogs 4 Heroes will be awarding a waived-entry Golden Ticket into the 2022 World Barbecue Championship. Come out and enjoy the fun for a good cause! VIEW SITE -
Poosa Q
in Montgomery, AL on May 5-7, 2022
Come join us for Poosa Q at the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama to experience one of the largest BBQ competitions in the country with a share of $75,000 in CASH and prizes. Three competitors will win a Golden Ticket to compete this year at the World Food Championships in BBQ, Dessert and Seafood. VIEW SITE -
Blooms, Bluegrass & BBQ
in Sweetwater, TN on May 6-7, 2022
Join us on May 6 th & 7 th as we decorate the town in music-themed topiaries, listen to the best bluegrass music around, enjoy the carnival, and cook-off in our BBQ Competition. Who will win the overall competition to receive a waived-entry Golden Ticket to compete in the Barbecue Category at the World Food Championships in Texas?!! VIEW SITE -
Get Wild With Wild Rice
online on May 9-June 10, 2022
Submit your original wild rice recipes for the Get Wild with Wild Rice Recipe Contest. You may enter up to one recipe per person in each of these categories. A finalist receives a Golden Ticket with waived entry to WFC’s 2022 World Vegetarian Championship. Finalists will be determined by judges; all finalists receive a prize pack. Cash grand prize, determined by judges. Cash People’s Choice Award. World Food Championships completion cash prize from council. Finalist recipes will be published and may be included in cooking demonstrations. VIEW SITE -
Canadian Festival of Chili & BBQ
in Langley, Canada on May 13-15, 2022
The 33rd Annual Canadian Festival of Chili and BBQ returns to Langley as WFC’s official Food Championships of Western Canada. With two days of tasty fun for the whole family, this is the oldest and largest Chili and BBQ contest in Canada and the Pacific Northwest. On Saturday we host The Canadian International CASI Chili Championships and on Sunday The BC BBQ Championships. VIEW SITE -
Intl FORD Cuban Sandwich Festival
in Tampa, FL on May 29, 2022
Competition consists of World's Best Cuban Sandwich where contestants come from all over the world to compete and win! 1st place winner for “Best Traditional Cuban” will receive a Golden Ticket to the 2022 World Sandwich Championship. Each year we build the longest Cuban Sandwich in the World, and we hold the World’s record at 240 feet so come enjoy the fun! VIEW SITE -
Show Me Series- Taco De Somo
in Springfield, MO on June 1, 2022
Welcome to Southern Missouri's Premiere Taco Competition. Taco lovers gather to share their Universal love for TACOS as well as raise money to help local families caring for loved ones with developmental disabilities. We are so proud to be a partner with Show Me Series and the World Food Championships. VIEW SITE -
Mohegan Sun- Sun BBQ Fest
in Uncasville, CT on June 11-12, 2022
Sun BBQ Fest celebrates the best in barbecue with lots of food, cold beer, hand-crafted cocktails, and live music. We invite guests to enjoy full plate vending from nationally acclaimed BBQ teams, sample small bites in our “People’s Choice Competition”, or participate in our annual Wing & Rib competition. Sun BBQ Fest also features a World Food Championship sanctioned barbecue competition. Join us for a firework show on Saturday night – or the full award announcement on Sunday! VIEW SITE -
Tennessee Valley Food Festival & Cookoff
in Madisonville, TN on June 11, 2022
Join us from 2pm to 8pm in downtown Madisonville as we celebrate what we southerners love the most, summertime and food! To make the day even more exciting, we will be hosting a cook-off competition to pick 5 winners in 3 categories (Steak, Sandwich and Dessert). Who will win waived-entry Golden Tickets to the World Food Championships in Texas?!! VIEW SITE -
Miracle League Burger Competition
in NW Arkansas TBA/Little Rock, AR on June 12, 2022
MLB (Miracle League Burger) Competitions in Little Rock, Sunday, June 12th and in Northwest Arkansas (date TBD). The competition is open to Food Enthusiast, Home Cooks and Professional Chefs who will be stepping up to the plate in hopes of hitting it out of the park with the BEST BURGER in the competition! Judging will be blind plus a People's Choice. The overall winner will be awarded a Golden Ticket with entry to compete in the World Burger Championship at the WFC in Dallas this November 2022. For more information contact miracleleaguear@yahoo.com. All proceeds benefit the Miracle League of Arkansas, which is a baseball league for kids and adults with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Miracle League…it’s more than baseball! VIEW SITE -
Taste of America Summer Series- La Lechonera Products
online on June 14-21, 2022
1st, 2nd and 3rd place will received a WFC 2022 waived Golden Ticket (category TBD) VIEW SITE -
Velvet Ditch Steak Classic
in Oxford, MS on June 25, 2022
The Velvet Ditch Steak Classic will be held in Oxford, MS on Saturday, June 25, 2022. This will be a full-day event featuring 2 steak contests, a rice contest, a tomato contest, and a free kid's contest. Rice for the ancillary event will be provided from Two Brooks Farm Rice. Registration for the event can be found here: https://steakcookoffs.com/event-4747756 Those interested in purchasing rice directly from Two Brooks can purchase it through the following link: https://www.twobrooksfarm.com/ Proceeds from our contest will go to benefit the Northwest Mississippi Family Crisis Center here in Oxford. VIEW SITE -
Australian Food Championships
in Melbourne, Australia on July 8-10, 2022
Australians have fallen in love with food and now there is something tangible you can see live, follow and get involved in! Australian Food Championships will be awarding 6 Golden Tickets into WFC2022. (2) into BBQ, (2) into Seafood and (2) into Dessert. In partnership with the World Food Championships, GL Exhibitions (owners/producers/managers of the Love Cooking Live Show and the Cake Bake & Sweets Show) brings a new cooking competition to Melbourne (NEW DATE: July 8-10, 2022) and Sydney (May 27-29, 2022) at the Love Cooking Live Show. Be sure to sign up to compete at this exciting event to win a Golden Ticket in one of three categories at WFC2022! VIEW SITE -
Alabama Coasting- Bama-Q Grilling in T'Town
in Tuscaloosa, AL on July 9, 2022
The Dessert Ancillary wins a Golden Ticket to compete this year at the World Food Championships! VIEW SITE -
Taste of America Series- Chupacabra
online on July 12-19, 2022
1st, 2nd and 3rd place will received a WFC 2022 waived Golden Ticket (category TBD) VIEW SITE -
Famous Dave's All Star BBQ Challenge
in Hermitage, TN on July 16, 2022
Hosted by Famous Dave's, the best-known barbecue restaurant brand in America, 10 of America’s best BBQ teams will be firing up their smokers and competing in categories of chicken, ribs and wild card. The prize purse includes a purse of $5,000 as well as qualification for the top two winners into the 2022 WFC Barbecue Championship. VIEW SITE -
HOTEL Chef Throwdown
in Dallas, TX on July 18, 2022
The HOT(el) Chef Throwdown features Chefs from the Hotel Association of North Texas member properties. These talented Executive Chefs, Pastry Chefs, and up-and-coming Chefs are challenged to create their "Signature Dish" in a timed, live cooking competition hosted at the Dallas College Culinary, Pastry and Hospitality Center. The top 5 winners will receive a Golden Ticket for the 2022 World Food Championships! VIEW SITE -
Maryland State Partner- Governor's Buy Local Cookout
in Annapolis, MD on July 21, 2022
You are invited to submit an original recipe for Governor Hogan’s Buy Local Cookout on Thursday, July 21st in Annapolis. We are seeking recipes that showcase simple but creative ways to use Maryland grown/raised products in delicious, nutritious meals that can be replicated by busy Maryland families. For this competition, we will showcase two categories: seafood and produce. Only 10 competitors can join, 5 from each category. The winner of each category will represent Team Maryland in the World Food Championships. VIEW SITE -
Niverville Smokemaster BBQ Competition
in Niverville, MB on July 23, 2022
Niverville BBQ Society, a community based organization, is committed to hosting this event on an annual basis as a fundraising initiative for valuable causes within our community. The winner will be automatically qualified for the WORLD FOOD CHAMPIONSHIPS this year in Dallas, Texas! VIEW SITE -
Bite Club Washington
in Washington, DC on July 24, 2022
Bite Club is an underground speakeasy where curated small plates and craft cocktails are paired together for the enjoyment of guests. It’s a fusion of foods, cocktails, people, music and collaborations. You will find patrons immersed in conversation and laughter lounging on couches or at high top tables with photographers and videographers buzzing to capture the latest event scene. In the backdrop mixologists are shaking, stirring, and mixing the latest cocktail while Chef and visionary Chrishon Addison is center stage creating sensational small plates for guests as they are entertained by eclectic DJ’s . Bite Club features a host of events from 4 coursed themed private food & cocktail pairings, to a conversation over cocktails event, and collaborations with amazing black owned spirit brands. VIEW SITE -
Japan Burger Championship
in Tokyo, Japan on July 29-31, 2022
PLATE IT UP hosts the second burger championship in Japan to select the No. 1 Burger representative to compete in the 2022 World Burger Championship in Dallas. 16 Burger restaurants are expected to participate in the two-day event, which will be judged on Taste, Appearance, and Execution. The winner receives a waived entry Golden Ticket into the Burger category at WFC. VIEW SITE -
Huntsville Restaurant Week
in Huntsville, AL on August 12-21, 2022
To celebrate 10 years of Huntsville Restaurant Week, the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau is dedicating the month of August to all things culinary! Huntsville Restaurant Week is a 10-day celebration (August 12-21) of Huntsville’s diverse local cuisine. Participating eateries and specialty shops offer unique items and/or specials designed to showcase the best of their menus and encourage visitors and locals alike to explore the tastier side of the Rocket City. This year, guests can vote on their favorite Restaurant for a chance to send their chef to the 2022 World Food Championships! #DineHsv VIEW SITE -
Taste of Tennessee - Big Beef Showdown
in Lebanon, TN on August 20, 2022
Wilson County Fair-Tennessee State Fair COOK-OFF Saturday, August 20, 2022 BURGER, RIBEYE STEAK, BACON, SOUP $25 Entry Fee Per Division Entry Deadline August 1, 2022 Total Number of Entries Are Limited Top prize in each division, in addition to prize money, is a Golden Ticket to participate in the World Food Championship in Dallas, TX. Come and test your skills against the Best Amateur Cooks in the State. VIEW SITE -
Alabama Coasting- Battle of the Cast Iron at Fort Gaines
in Dauphin Island, AL on September 3, 2022
Chefs and cook teams compete in a surf n turf challenge dish using cast iron cookery for cash, a cool trophy and a WFC 2022 Golden Ticket in Seafood! VIEW SITE -
Big Kahuna Wing Festival
in Knoxville, TN on September 4, 2022
This year, the 9th annual Big Kahuna Wing Festival celebrates the creation of the “Buffalo Wing”, which has become a national food icon. Invented in 1964 at the world famous Anchor Bar by Teresa Bellisimo, the popularity of the chicken wing has made it America’s #1 appetizer. Last year alone over 20 billion wings were consumed by Americans, 1.25 billion on Super Bowl weekend alone. The Big Kahuna Wing Festival has become one of the best culinary events in the region. Last year the festival drew over 8,000 attendees whom enjoyed over 100 different sauces from 40 different teams representing restaurants, cooking teams, businesses, and The University of Tennessee Culinary Institute. Attendees and visitors come from all over the region. All for the love of the “Buffalo Wing” and to raise money for charity. VIEW SITE -
Show Me Series- Gateway Arch- Taste of Black St. Louis
in St. Louis, MO on September 10, 2022
It's the Riverfront Rumble - THE showcase of the best and brightest professional chefs and home cooks alike who converge on St. Louis, Missouri to compete for a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships - Where the winner gets a shot at being #1 in the world and a chance to win $100,000. VIEW SITE -
2022 ICS- 1st Place World Open and People's Choice
in Myrtle Beach, SC on September 23-25, 2022
Do you have a GREAT chili recipe? Are your friends and neighbors always telling you that you should enter a cook-off? Well, now is your chance! The World Open Chili Challenge is open to amateurs and experts alike. This category allows chili cooks, pro chefs and home cooks to focus on making their best chili creation outside the confines of a traditional, sanctioned chili cook-off. The World Open division will occur Saturday, September 24th. Competition hours, rules and regulations will be emailed to each registered Open competitor. There will be a cash prize, but perhaps best of all, the Open division at WCCC is a qualifying event for WFC 2022 in Dallas, Texas! Space is limited in the World Open, so don’t delay. Each competitor will receive a 10x10 tented cooking space, a table and two chairs. Similar to the Pro Chili division, all cooks will be required to bring their own ingredients and cooking apparatus (propane burner), and utensils. There is a $50 registration fee for entering the World Open Chili division. A contest representative will reach out directly to each entrant for payment. VIEW SITE -
Show Me Series- Hogs & Frogs Festival
in Waynesville, MO on September 23-25, 2022
The City of Waynesville is excited to announce the First Annual Route 66 Hogs and Frogs Festival! 3-fun-filled days along the banks of the Roubidoux Creek in the Waynesville – Roubioudoux City Park. You won’t want to miss a minute of the live music, great food , craft vendors, top tattoo artists, and a wide range of contests to show off your skills, crazy hair, or your amazing motorcycle. A VIP area is also available. Plan your fall weekend get-away, for September 23-25th in Pulaski County USA! We are so proud to be a partner with Show Me Series and the World Food Championships. Two winners will receive a 2022 Golden Ticket for Bacon and Burger. VIEW SITE -
TURN Festival
in Indianapolis, IN on September 25, 2022
TURN Festival is an outgrowth of the Paramount's farm and agroecology program. Held on the grounds of the school farm, the day is packed with workshops, hands-on demonstrations, exhibits, children’s activities, live music and food. Paramount Brookside is fortunate to have a 5.5-acre site that has developed into a working farm complete with six goats, 21 chickens, and a four-hive apiary. The farm is an integral part of the school’s STEM curriculum and offers Paramount students a multitude of unique learning opportunities. It serves as an outdoor learning classroom for students throughout the school year and for Paramount’s summer STEAM (Success Through Education Agriculture and Mentoring) program. The sixth annual TURN Festival promises to be a full fall day focused on urban farming, food, health, and the environment. TURN Festival attendees will find sessions on urban farming, beekeeping, family gardening, food preservation, healthy cooking, yoga, and cycling. Frequently check out the Exhibitor and Activities tabs as vendors and workshops continue to be added. The top three winners will win a Golden Ticket to compete at this years World Food Championships. VIEW SITE -
Alabama Coasting- Bama-Q Grilling in the Bayou
in La Batre, AL on October 1, 2022
This Soup Ancillary wins a Golden Ticket to compete this year at the World Food Championships! VIEW SITE
Meet The
Champions
Champions
Acie Vincent
2021 World Sandwich Champion
It’s not Texas Hold’em, but Chef Acie Vincent left Dallas, Texas, with two “Acies” in his pocket as he was just crowned a two-time World Sandwich Champion at the the largest Food Sport event –- World Food Championships (WFC).
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Join Our
State Program
State Program
Become an Official WFC State Partner!
The World Food Championships (WFC) has appointed tourism marketing veteran, Larry D. Dickerson, to oversee the execution of the event’s state partnership initiative. The focus of the new initiative is to develop and foster culinary talent for the competition, raise awareness of culinary offerings within individual states and promote food tourism across the country.Click here to learn more about becoming an Official WFC State Partner.
