Indiana Pork Taste of Elegance

in Indianapolis, IN on February 4, 2025

Indiana Pork hosts this event for Indiana chefs to showcase pork in exciting ways. The chef competition is part of a bigger event featuring lawmakers, ag industry professionals, pig farmers and many more. VIEW SITE

Taste of America: Elevated with Marcel's Modern Pantry

in Online, on February 11-24, 2025

Through The Taste of America Challenge: Elevated with Marcel's Modern Pantry (Contest) participants will be challenged to create their best dish infusing one of the following Marcel's Modern Pantry products: Whole Milk, 2% Milk, 1% Milk, 1% Chocolate Milk, Oat Milk, Sweetened Almond Milk or Original Almond Milk. Products must be identified in the recipe submission. VIEW SITE

Meatstock New Zealand

in Hamilton, on February 14-15, 2025

Meatstock is the ultimate celebration of barbecue culture and a carnivore's dream! It's one of the largest food festivals in Australia and New Zealand. In the BBQ pit yard, national and international teams will battle it out in the Heat Beads BBQ Wars, vying for the title of best in their specific protein category. Meanwhile, the butchers will showcase their skills in the meat-filled showdown, the Butcher Wars. VIEW SITE

Baconfest MKE

in Milwaukee, WI on February 23, 2025

Hundreds of hungry HOG Heads will devour unique bacon creations along with some classic favorites prepared by Southeast Wisconsin’s best restaurants. VIEW SITE

Gulf Coast Beer and Bacon Festival

in Gulfport, MS on March 1, 2025

This event is a sellout each year and we plan to grow to an all-day or two-day event in the coming years. We sell out 600 tickets, and offer beer, liquor and food tastings to those who purchase tickets. In addition, we have People’s Choice Awards and award two Golden Tickets to the World Food Championships. We expect to have more chefs join in this year and in coming years as we have changed locations to a more appropriate location for chefs to compete. VIEW SITE

ACF Greater Indianapolis President's Gala Small Bite Challenge

in Carmel, IN on March 1, 2025

Join us for the 55th annual President's Gala and Chef's Masqarade, hosted by the Ritz Charles for a celebration of culinary excellence combined with a small bite competition between four high school teams. Formal attire recommended to defend against certain operatic haunts. VIEW SITE

OCHMRA Spring Trade Expo

in Ocean City Maryland, MD on March 2-3, 2025

4 chefs will compete for a Golden Ticket in the Seafood Category. Chefs are responsible for creating a dish that highlights locally caught Maryland Black Sea Bass and must use a minimum of 3 ingredients from the expo floor to help promote chef to distributor connections. VIEW SITE

Meatstock Australia

in Toowoomba, on March 7-8, 2025

Meatstock is the ultimate celebration of barbecue culture and a carnivore's dream! It's one of the largest food festivals in Australia and New Zealand. In the BBQ pit yard, national and international teams will battle it out in the Heat Beads BBQ Wars, vying for the title of best in their specific protein category. Meanwhile, the butchers will showcase their skills in the meat-filled showdown, the Butcher Wars. VIEW SITE

Meatstock Australia

in Bendigo, on March 14-15, 2025

Meatstock is the ultimate celebration of barbecue culture and a carnivore's dream! It's one of the largest food festivals in Australia and New Zealand. In the BBQ pit yard, national and international teams will battle it out in the Heat Beads BBQ Wars, vying for the title of best in their specific protein category. Meanwhile, the butchers will showcase their skills in the meat-filled showdown, the Butcher Wars. VIEW SITE

Taste of Lake Murray

in Lake Murray, SC on March 27, 2025

Taste of Lake Murray, presented by Lexington Medical Center, is set for 6 PM on March 27, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia! Taste of Lake Murray is the sole fundraiser for Lake Murray's Independence Day Celebration and is a super-regional qualifier for the World Food Championships, where attendees have a chance to vote for their favorite bite of the night by sampling flavors from around the region and voting for their favorite chef! Two participating chefs will win a golden ticket securing their spot to compete in the 2025 World Food Championships representing their restaurant and Team Lake Murray Country! VIEW SITE

ACF Greater Indy April Fools Mystery Basket Competition

in Indianapolis, IN on April 5, 2025

The third annual Greater Indy ACF April Fools Mystery Basket Competition pairs students and professional Chefs for an unforgettable Mystery Basket Challenge. Each team will work together to create a menu based on the mystery basket ingredients, with a surprise protein and our April Fools ingredient announced at the start, and a surprise ingredient announced thirty minutes into the competition to be incorporated in the final dish. Each team must create two plates of an appetizer and two plates of an entree utilizing the mystery ingredients in two and a half hours. Professional Chefs may pair with a student in advance or be assigned a student on the day of the competition. VIEW SITE

BBQ Pit Stop Steak Championship Thermoworks

in American Fork, UT on April 12, 2025

Do you cook the best steak in your neighborhood? Are you the king of your cul-de-sac? Bring your backyard skills to an SCA sanctioned cookoff and compete for cash, trophies, prizes at a one day event. Most SCA steak cookoffs feature a $1000 first place prize and typically will pay the top ten places in the steak category! The SCA's primary focus is STEAK, but we also conduct ancillary categories to challenge cookers and involve the entire family. Our goal is to create a fun relaxed environment and a fair competition. It's about cooking, not who has the most money. The promoters of SCA events provide all the steaks, to ensure a level playing field. Our double blind judging process adds to the integrity and the best cook wins. SCA events are family friendly and it's common to see the entire family participating. We've had husbands and wives create their own teams to compete against each other, even father and sons, and sometimes three generations competing at the same event . If you have a passion for grilling and the great outdoors sign up for an event today. You will meet a great group of people that soon become friends and you too will use #SCAFAMILY. VIEW SITE

Dallas College Bits & Bites

in Dallas, TX on April 13, 2025

Featuring some of Dallas’ best chefs working together with our students, Bits & Bites exemplifies the work Dallas College does to connect culinary, pastry and hospitality (CPH) students to rewarding careers. VIEW SITE

Bolner's Fiesta Products and World Food Championships Recipe Challenge

in Online, on April 15-28, 2025

Through The Bolner's Fiesta Products and World Food Championships Recipe Challenge (Contest) participants will be challenged to create their best dish infusing one of the following Bolner's Fiesta Products: Lemon & Herb Seasoning, Smoky Swine Seasoning or Sweet Tooth Topping. Products must be identified in the recipe submission. VIEW SITE

Nashville Scene's Iron Fork Chef Competition at the Music City Food & Wine Festival

in Nashville, TN on April 26, 2025

Now taking place as part of Music City Food & Wine Festival, Iron Fork brings four of Nashville's top chefs together in a head-to-head cooking competition modeled after the popular show Iron Chef. The twist? A secret ingredient the chefs have one hour to figure out how to include in their dish to present to our panel of judges. The Iron Fork Chef Champion wins access to the World Food Championships, our prestigious Iron Fork Trophy, ultimate bragging rights in Music City and more! VIEW SITE

Arkansas Pie Festival

in Cherokee Village, AR on April 26, 2025

Arkansas Pie Festival is an annual event held the last Saturday of April where pie bakers compete in three divisions: Professional/Commercial Chefs, Non-Commercial/Home Chefs and Youth. VIEW SITE

Lancaster BBQ Supply

in Lancaster, PA on April 26, 2025

Do you cook the best steak in your neighborhood? Are you the king of your cul-de-sac? Bring your backyard skills to an SCA sanctioned cookoff and compete for cash, trophies, prizes at a one day event. Most SCA steak cookoffs feature a $1000 first place prize and typically will pay the top ten places in the steak category! The SCA's primary focus is STEAK, but we also conduct ancillary categories to challenge cookers and involve the entire family. Our goal is to create a fun relaxed environment and a fair competition. It's about cooking, not who has the most money. The promoters of SCA events provide all the steaks, to ensure a level playing field. Our double blind judging process adds to the integrity and the best cook wins. SCA events are family friendly and it's common to see the entire family participating. We've had husbands and wives create their own teams to compete against each other, even father and sons, and sometimes three generations competing at the same event . If you have a passion for grilling and the great outdoors sign up for an event today. You will meet a great group of people that soon become friends and you too will use #SCAFAMILY. VIEW SITE

Miracle League Burger Competition (MLBC)

in Little Rock, AR on April 27, 2025

Miracle League Burger Competition is in Little Rock, Sunday, April 27th. The competition is open to Food Enthusiasts, 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 World Food Championships! For more information contact peggy@miracleleaguear.com. VIEW SITE

Roanoke Round-Up

in Roanoke, TX on May 3, 2025

Do you cook the best steak in your neighborhood? Are you the king of your cul-de-sac? Bring your backyard skills to an SCA sanctioned cookoff and compete for cash, trophies, prizes at a one day event. Most SCA steak cookoffs feature a $1000 first place prize and typically will pay the top ten places in the steak category! The SCA's primary focus is STEAK, but we also conduct ancillary categories to challenge cookers and involve the entire family. Our goal is to create a fun relaxed environment and a fair competition. It's about cooking, not who has the most money. The promoters of SCA events provide all the steaks, to ensure a level playing field. Our double blind judging process adds to the integrity and the best cook wins. SCA events are family friendly and it's common to see the entire family participating. We've had husbands and wives create their own teams to compete against each other, even father and sons, and sometimes three generations competing at the same event . If you have a passion for grilling and the great outdoors sign up for an event today. You will meet a great group of people that soon become friends and you too will use #SCAFAMILY. VIEW SITE

Famous Dave's All-Star Contest - Indianapolis

in Indianapolis, IN on May 3, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

WFC Burger France

online on May 4, 2025

The World Food Championships (WFC) France is a platform dedicated to promoting and qualifying French culinary talent, ranging from professional chefs to passionate amateurs. This competition aims to celebrate French gastronomic excellence, encouraging participants to innovate and express their passion through creations that tell a story and celebrate our rich culinary heritage. The challenges offered offer the opportunity to distinguish oneself, to obtain the recognition of experts and to represent France on the world culinary scene, thus making a lasting mark on the gastronomic world. VIEW SITE

Meatstock Australia

in Sydney, on May 9-11, 2025

Meatstock is the ultimate celebration of barbecue culture and a carnivore's dream! It's one of the largest food festivals in Australia and New Zealand. In the BBQ pit yard, national and international teams will battle it out in the Heat Beads BBQ Wars, vying for the title of best in their specific protein category. Meanwhile, the butchers will showcase their skills in the meat-filled showdown, the Butcher Wars. VIEW SITE

Get Wild with Wild Rice Recipe Contest

in Online, on May 9-June 9, 2025

Enter your original wild rice recipe in the ‘Get Wild with Wild Rice’ recipe contest for your chance to wild prize packs, cash prizes, and a ‘Golden Ticket’ to the World Food Championships. Entries must include at least ¼ cup or more of cooked wild rice per serving and one or more of the sponsor products. VIEW SITE

SmokeSlam

in Memphis, TN on May 15-17, 2025

ATTENTION BBQ TEAMS - WHO WANTS THAT CROWN? Is it a heavyweight championship competition? A concert? A carnival? A battle royale for braggin’ rights and big bucks? A celebration of all things Q? The best three days of your life? For fans of smoked meat and good times, the answer is all of the above. SmokeSlam will be a barbecue festival like no other – serious about competition and making the event a great experience for teams and guests alike. VIEW SITE

Nashville Lifestyles Battle of the Burger 2025

in Nashville, TN on May 22, 2025

Nashville's top restaurants battle it out for best burger in town at this live cooking competition. VIEW SITE

Famous Dave's All-Star Contest - Fresno

in Fresno, CA on May 31, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

Baconfest 2025

in Osage Beach, MO on June 1, 2025

A weekend of BACON! This World Food Championships Golden Ticket Qualifier on the shore of the Lake of the Ozarks features live fire, cool beats and delicious treats. It's set to blow your taste buds away as you cheer on your fav chef in this live action cooking competition! VIEW SITE

Famous Dave's All-Star Contest - Modesto

in Modesto, CA on June 7, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

88 BBQ Festival - Pork Belly Edition

in San Jose, on June 7, 2025

16 teams will be in a competition for 1 day, in the center of the city, in the middle of the National Pork meat fair. They will be competing to try to get the golden ticket as the best bacon team of Costa Rica. VIEW SITE

Japan Burger Championship 2025

in Tokyo, on June 13-15, 2025

Japan Burger Championship is a hybrid food event combined food festival and cooking competition and an official qualifier of the World Food Championships. There were 72 entry submissions from all over Japan and 12 teams who will pass the qualifying round in March will face off in Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and compete for a coveted Golden Ticket to represent Japan at the 2025 World Food Championships. VIEW SITE

Intercontinental Croix Valley Cookoff - USA

in Hudson, WI on June 14, 2025

The Croix Valley Intercontinental Cookoff is the 1st-ever Steak Cookoff Association contest happening simultaneously on 2 continents. Steak, Mac 'n Cheese, and Stroopwaffel categories will be conducted in Hudson, Wisconsin, and Meppel, Netherlands, crowning Champions from each location. VIEW SITE

Intercontinental Croix Valley Cookoff - Netherlands

in Meppel, on June 14, 2025

The Croix Valley Intercontinental Cookoff is the 1st-ever Steak Cookoff Association contest happening simultaneously on 2 continents. Steak, Mac 'n Cheese, and Stroopwaffel categories will be conducted in Hudson, Wisconsin, and Meppel, Netherlands, crowning Champions from each location. VIEW SITE

Famous Dave's All-Star Contest - Colorado Springs

in Colorado Springs, CO on June 14, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

Car-B-Que Steak Cookoff

in Folkston, GA on June 21, 2025

Do you cook the best steak in your neighborhood? Are you the king of your cul-de-sac? Bring your backyard skills to an SCA sanctioned cookoff and compete for cash, trophies, prizes at a one day event. Most SCA steak cookoffs feature a $1000 first place prize and typically will pay the top ten places in the steak category! The SCA's primary focus is STEAK, but we also conduct ancillary categories to challenge cookers and involve the entire family. Our goal is to create a fun relaxed environment and a fair competition. It's about cooking, not who has the most money. The promoters of SCA events provide all the steaks, to ensure a level playing field. Our double blind judging process adds to the integrity and the best cook wins. SCA events are family friendly and it's common to see the entire family participating. We've had husbands and wives create their own teams to compete against each other, even father and sons, and sometimes three generations competing at the same event . If you have a passion for grilling and the great outdoors sign up for an event today. You will meet a great group of people that soon become friends and you too will use #SCAFAMILY. VIEW SITE

Famous Dave's All-Star Contest - Rancho Cucamonga

in Rancho Cucamonga, CA on June 21, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

South Shore Food Bank’s Food Fight

in Hanover, MA on June 21, 2025

Get ready for a culinary clash like no other! Join us for the Local Chef Throwdown, where top local chefs go head-to-head in a high-energy cooking competition—using only rescued food. These talented chefs will transform surplus ingredients into mouthwatering masterpieces, showcasing creativity, skill, and a commitment to sustainability. More than just a foodie showdown, this event is raising vital funds and awareness for food insecurity in our community. Every bite brings us closer to a future where no one goes hungry and good food doesn’t go to waste. Come taste the action, cheer on your favorite chef, and support a cause that feeds both body and soul. Delicious food, friendly rivalry, and a powerful mission—what more could you ask for? Don’t miss the Local Chef Throwdown—where flavor meets purpose! VIEW SITE

HANTX HOT Chef Throwdown

in Dallas, TX on June 23, 2025

WFC and Dallas College host a special event for the Hotel Association of North Texas, which includes more than 200 members throughout the North Texas area. Five of these teams earn their way into the 12th Annual WFC, which will be held at the Indianapolis State Fairgrounds, October 16-19. VIEW SITE

Las Vegas, NV

in Las Vegas, NV on June 28, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

Meatstock Brazil

online on June 29-30, 2025

Meatstock is the ultimate celebration of barbecue culture and a carnivore's dream! One of the largest food festivals from Australia and New Zealand is now coming to Brazil! In the BBQ pit yard, national and international teams will battle it out in the Heat Beads BBQ Wars, vying for the title of best in their specific protein category. Meanwhile, the butchers will showcase their skills in the meat-filled showdown, the Butcher Wars. VIEW SITE

River City Steak Challenge

in Mason City, IA on July 4, 2025

Do you cook the best steak in your neighborhood? Are you the king of your cul-de-sac? Bring your backyard skills to an SCA sanctioned cookoff and compete for cash, trophies, prizes at a one day event. Most SCA steak cookoffs feature a $1000 first place prize and typically will pay the top ten places in the steak category! The SCA's primary focus is STEAK, but we also conduct ancillary categories to challenge cookers and involve the entire family. Our goal is to create a fun relaxed environment and a fair competition. It's about cooking, not who has the most money. The promoters of SCA events provide all the steaks, to ensure a level playing field. Our double blind judging process adds to the integrity and the best cook wins. SCA events are family friendly and it's common to see the entire family participating. We've had husbands and wives create their own teams to compete against each other, even father and sons, and sometimes three generations competing at the same event . If you have a passion for grilling and the great outdoors sign up for an event today. You will meet a great group of people that soon become friends and you too will use #SCAFAMILY. VIEW SITE

Nashville Scene's Burger Week 2025

in Nashville, TN on July 7-13, 2025

50+ local restaurants will offer $8 burger specials for one week (July 7-13) in hopes of winning the votes of Nashvillians. Guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites in three categories — Best Overall Burger, Best Traditional Burger and Most Unique Toppings. VIEW SITE

Famous Dave's All-Star Contest - Taylor

in Taylor, MI on July 19, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

Curley Que Classic

in Oahu, HI on July 25-26, 2025

The KCBS Sanctioned BBQ contest in Oahu, Hawaii, will take place on July 25-26, offering a sizzling event for BBQ lovers and competitors. In its inaugural year, the event will focus on the Master Series BBQ Competition, with a current prize fund of $5,000, which will grow as teams and sponsors join. Held on the stunning island of Oahu, the contest will showcase top BBQ talent, with teams competing in chicken, ribs, pork and brisket categories. On Friday afternoon, three exciting ancillary contests will also take place, adding a creative twist and allowing participants and judges to explore unique island flavors. This event promises to be a must-attend for BBQ enthusiasts, with a blend of competition and local flair. VIEW SITE

Holy Cross Wine & Cheese Festival

in Indianapolis, IN on July 26, 2025

The Holy Cross Wine & Cheese Festival features an annual cheese wars competition allowing professional chefs to compete for a Golden Ticket while utilizing a cheese theme to create a dish for a select panel of judges using the EAT Methodology. Every competition includes an audience vote for fan favorite. This year's cheese theme is Mac-N-Cheese. Chefs will have two hours to prep and two hours to serve judges and audience participants. All participating chefs will receive a prearranged ingredient reimbursement. VIEW SITE

Famous Dave's All-Star Contest - El Paso

in El Paso, TX on July 26, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

The Wedding Foodies Plot Twist Competition

in Indianapolis, IN on August 2, 2025

Get ready for a sizzling 90-minute showdown where chefs leverage a theatrical theme to create their own version of a culinary plot twist. ​As guests arrive to a wedding performance at the Theater, they'll play a crucial role by voting for the best chef. The night ends with a vote to crown the fan favorite, helping expert judges determine the champion and winner of a coveted Golden Ticket. Let the culinary theater games begin! VIEW SITE

Taste of Tennessee Big Beef Showdown

in Lebanon, TN on August 16, 2025

The Wilson County Fair Board is pleased to partner once again with the World Food Championships (WFC) on its 5th Annual Taste of Tennessee - Big Beef Showdown! As a competitor at the Big Beef Showdown, you will be competing for the chance to win one of four (4) Golden Tickets to the 2025 World Food Championships held from October 16-18 in Indianapolis. VIEW SITE

Famous Dave's All-Star Contest - Minnetonka

in Minnetonka, MN on August 16, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

Famous Dave's All-Star Contest - Union Gap

in Union Gap, WA on August 23, 2025

Famous Dave’s is partnering with the World Food Championships to host BBQ contests at 10 Famous Dave's BBQ locations around the country. In addition to a cash prize purse, this exclusive gateway partnership will award three Golden Tickets per location to compete in the World Barbecue Championship in Indianapolis this October! VIEW SITE

Big Kahuna Wing Festival

in Knoxville, TN on August 31, 2025

The Big Kahuna Wing Festival has become one of the best culinary events in the region. In 2022, the festival drew over 5,000 attendees who enjoyed over 100 different sauces from 30 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

Perfect Bite Championships

in Indianapolis, IN on September 21, 2025

The competition will center in three Golden Ticket categories (named by June 1). All 20 participating chefs will be competing in one of the three categories. In this way, winners will move on to the World Food Championships in the same category they practiced at the Perfect Bite Championships. Beginning at 6 PM and lasting for one hour, guests will have a single ticket for voting for their favorite bite. With 150-175 in attendance, Chefs should be prepared to serve at least 175 bites. At the end of the first hour, all tickets will be counted. The chef with the most tickets in each category will automatically make the finals and have a chance for a World Food Championship Golden Ticket. A team of culinary experts (who will also be judging the finals) will determine the second chef moving on to the finals in each category, and must consider the popular vote in their decision. THE FINALS: The six finals chefs will compete head-to-head in the three categories. The finalists can cook with a single sous chef (of their choosing) in a 45-minute head-to-head “perfect plate” challenge. Finalists will have a pot of boiling water, cutting board, and an induction burner with induction pan in addition to a stocked pantry. A team of culinary experts will judge the finals using the E.A.T. methodology from the World Food Championships. The winning chefs in each category receive $750. VIEW SITE