WILD CARD ELITE DIVISION

online on February 1-September 30, 2018

This year, there are (20) Wild Card Elite Golden Tickets available to contestants, all of whom will be entered into a special points chase, a virtual tournament WITHIN the tournament. The registrants under the Wild Card Elite Division can bypass qualifying, enter ANY category of competition they choose, represent any brand or corporation they want to, compete in the Main Event with a chance to win EXTRA prize money. Ranked by scores, the top 3 Wild Card Elite ticket holders will win prize money, no matter WHAT category they are in, or WHERE they finish in the main event's standings. Contestants sign up online like normal and choose the category in which they want to compete and then select Wild Card Elite Division as their Qualifying event. It costs $1,000 to enter the Championships by way of the Wild Card Elite Division. VIEW SITE

WORLD GOURMET SOCIETY BEST VIDEO CHALLENGE FOR WFC2019

online on February 1-July 31, 2018

The WGS Best Video Challenge has started! In this challenge, the World Gourmet Society asks chefs from around the world to submit a video showing their most creative plate. All videos accepted by the WGS will be presented to our community of more than 50,000 global gourmands and food critics. Ten winners will be announced at the Global Finals in November 2018. Then, the WFC Advisory Council will determine the top (3) winners to receive the waived Golden Ticket entries for the 2019 World Food Championships. VIEW SITE

NBC ITALIAN NATIONAL BBQ COMPETITION - BEST OVERALL SCORE IN CATEGORY

in Various Locations, on March 1-August 31, 2018

NBC is an International Qualifier qualifiying teams into WFC's Burger, BBQ and Dessert Championships! There are three events that will serve as Qualifiers: Torino, Italy (March 24-25), San Marino, Italy (April 21-22), and Varese, Italy (May 25-26). VIEW SITE

BBQ GIVES BACK

in Urbanna, VA on March 23-24, 2018

On March 23-24, 2018, the BBQ Gives Back contest will crown THREE GRAND CHAMPIONS: the KCBS contest Grand Champion, the 2017 Virginia Grands Champion, and the 2017 MABA Cup Grand Champion. This contest helps support Team Thanksgiving and gives a monetary donation to Operation BBQ Relief. The Golden Ticket for the BBQ Gives Back - KCBS Grand Champion receives a waived entry fee and travel stipend for the 2018 World Barbecue Championship. VIEW SITE

Alabama State Qualifier / West Alabama Food & Wine Festival - Fuller Goldsmith

in Tuscaloosa, AL on April 12, 2018

The media group Alabama Coasting is the official Alabama State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. A Golden Ticket, with waived entry, has been given to Chopped Junior Champion, Fuller Goldsmith, to compete in the World Food Championships in 2018. VIEW SITE

THE TASTE

in Inverness, FL on April 14, 2018

Inverness Florida brings together the best of cuisine, craft beer and art for a one-day event with live music on the waterfront of Lake Henderson called the Taste. Attendees will taste from the best regional chefs and quirky food trucks. Beer lovers will rejoice with the 50+ Florida brew choices. This partnership event between the City of Inverness and the Citrus County Education Foundation expects 30 top regional chefs to compete and showcase their cooking talents. Chefs are required to prepare on-site in a tent or food truck. The winner receives a waived entry to the World Chef Challenge in November and a travel stipend to help them get to Orange Beach, AL. VIEW SITE

GULF COAST CHILI COOK-OFF

in Biloxi, MS on April 21, 2018

This year’s Cookoff event returns as a Preferred Qualifier for the 2018 World Food Championships in Orange Beach, AL. To register a team to compete, or to register as a vendor or 5K run participant, Visit http://www.gulfcoastchilicookoff.com or email Dynne.Easterling@mgccc.edu. Cookoff starts at 3PM. Admission and chili tasting tickets are $10 each and can also be purchased online or at the event. Like our Facebook Page “Gulf Coast Chili Cook Off” for updates. VIEW SITE

Alabama State Qualifier / 9th Annual Dauphin Island Gumbo Cook-off

in Dauphin Island, AL on April 21, 2018

“You know, we cook some gumbo…” The 9th Annual Gumbo Festival, sponsored by the DI Chamber of Commerce, is set for Saturday, April 21 and will be held this year at the rodeo site from 11am-2pm. Come hungry and sample your way around the venue as teams compete for top honors in this annual event. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will go to support our own volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad! Musical entertainment will be provided by the Modern Eldorados. VIEW SITE

Tennessee State Qualifier / National Cornbread Festival Championship Cookoff

in South Pittsburg, TN on April 28-29, 2018

Public Markets is the official Tennessee State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018.  A Golden Ticket, with waived entry, will be given away to one lucky person to compete in the 2018 World Seafood Championship. VIEW SITE

Alabama State Qualifier / Fairhope Rotary Steak Cook-off

in Fairhope, AL on May 11, 2018

The media group Alabama Coasting is the official Alabama State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. A Golden Ticket, with waived entry, will be given away to one lucky person to compete in the World Invitational Steak Championship at WFC2018. VIEW SITE

CHEF JJ'S EGGFEST

in Indianapolis, IN on May 19, 2018

After 10 years of delicious food, grilling, beer and wine, this will be the grande finale to Chef JJ's Eggfest 2018 but it's "hello" to a new kind of food festival. Come checkout the future of grilling for sport! Come and enjoy grilling demos, National Grilling League finals (vote for your favorite!), giveaways and of course delicious food from the grill and fun for everyone. The winner of this event receives a Golden Ticket with a waived entry and travel stipend to help them compete at the 2018 World Food Championships. VIEW SITE

Tennessee State Qualifier / Street Food Festival

in Chattanooga, TN on May 27, 2018

Public Markets is the official Tennessee State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018.  A Golden Ticket, with waived entry, will be given away to one lucky person to compete in the 2018 World Sandwich Championship. VIEW SITE

Alabama State Qualifier / EAT Eastern Shore Judging Class

in Fairhope, AL on June 10-11, 2018

The media group Alabama Coasting is the official Alabama State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. Golden Tickets, with waived entry, will be given away to two lucky people to compete in the World Sandwich Championship at WFC2018. VIEW SITE

ALABAMA SEAFOOD COOK-OFF

in Bayou La Batre, AL on June 13, 2018

Alabama Gulf Seafood is searching for its 2018 Alabama Seafood Cook-Off champion. Finalists will be announced in late April. The winner of the 4th annual event event will go on to represent the state of Alabama in the 15th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off (GASCO) in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will be qualified to compete in the 2018 World Food Championships. VIEW SITE

Missouri State Qualifier / The Show Me Series in Columbia

in Columbia, MO on June 14, 2018

ACWW, a Culinary Consortium, is the official Missouri State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. Golden Tickets, with waived entries, will be given away to two lucky people to compete in the 2018 World Food Championships. VIEW SITE

Tennessee State Qualifier / Big Kahuna Wing Festival

in Knoxville, TN on June 16, 2018

Public Markets is the official Tennessee State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018.  A Golden Ticket, with waived entry, will be given away to one lucky person to compete in the 2018 World Chicken Championship. VIEW SITE

Missouri State Qualifier / The Show Me Series in Kansas City

in Kansas City, MO on June 21, 2018

ACWW, a Culinary Consortium, is the official Missouri State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. Golden Tickets, with waived entries, will be given away to two lucky people to compete in the 2018 World Food Championships. VIEW SITE

SMOKIN’ ON THE PECOS

in Artesia, NM on June 24, 2018

We are pleased to announce that this year our event is a qualifying event for the World Food Championships. Our Grand Champion winner on Day 2 will qualify in the category of BBQ and receive a waived entry and a travel stipend. Our Dessert winner will qualify for the World Dessert Championship (no waived entry, no travel stipend). VIEW SITE

Tennessee State Qualifier / FiveStar Food Fight

in Chattanooga, TN on July 15, 2018

Public Markets is the official Tennessee State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018.  A Golden Ticket, with waived entry, will be given away to one lucky person to compete in the 2018 World Chicken Championship. VIEW SITE

Georgia State Qualifier / Burgers & Bacon - Atlanta Grillmaster Classic

in McDonough, GA on July 28, 2018

The Greater McDonough Business Association is the official Georgia State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. (4) Golden Tickets, with waived entry, will be given away to the top two winners to compete in the Bacon World Championship and the World Burger Championship at WFC2018. VIEW SITE

CULINARY FIGHT CLUB FIGHT FEST 2018

in Various Locations, on August 1, 2018

Think Top Chef meets Fight Club meets pop-up restaurant. If you can cook, then you can cook anywhere, with limited ingredients and on a time-crunch! Home chefs, students, moms, caterers, whoever you are, if you like to cook (and you think you're good at it), then step out of your kitchen and into the ring. Visit Culinary Fight Club's website for a list of qualifying events for this year's Culinary Fight Club "Fight Fest" where 13 Golden Tickets will be awarded! VIEW SITE

STURGIS BURGER BATTLE

in Sturgis, SD on August 7-10, 2018

500,000 riders, concert fanatics, and street-food enjoyers attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally every year. This year the event includes a Burger Battle that is a Preferred Qualifier for the World Burger Championship. The winner gets a waived entry and a travel stipend to make it to Orange Beach, AL in November. Come join the fun! VIEW SITE

Georgia State Qualifier / Eats & Sweets - Speedway Under the Stars

in Hampton, GA on August 17, 2018

The Greater McDonough Business Association is the official Georgia State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. (4) Golden Tickets, with waived entry, will be given away to the top two winners to compete in the World Dessert Championship and the World Sandwich Championship at WFC2018. VIEW SITE

Tennessee State Qualifier / Lodge Cast Iron Cook-off

in Chattanooga, TN on August 26, 2018

Public Markets is the official Tennessee State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018.  A Golden Ticket, with waived entry, will be given away to one lucky person to compete in the 2018 World Chef Challenge. VIEW SITE

Tennessee State Qualifier / Beast Feast® BBQ Festival

in Chattanooga, TN on September 2, 2018

Public Markets is the official Tennessee State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018.  A Golden Ticket, with waived entry, will be given away to one lucky person to compete in the 2018 World Barbecue Championship. VIEW SITE

THE WHARF UNCORKED

in Orange Beach, AL on September 13, 2018

The Wharf Uncorked Food & Wine Festival features tastings of delicious food and tantalizing wines, demos from renowned chefs, live and silent auctions benefiting Make-A-Wish® Alabama, wine auctions and sales and more! Some of the top chefs on the Gulf Coast will put their skills to the test in our cooking competitions. It’s a fun weekend of wining and dining at The Wharf and the winning chef will receive a Golden Ticket to the World Seafood Championship. VIEW SITE

BACON BASH

in River Falls, WI on September 15-16, 2018

Celebrate all things bacon! Held in River Falls, WI – just 30 minutes east of St. Paul – Bacon Bash is the largest free bacon festival in the U.S. where over 12,000 attendees are expected in 2018. The winner of the Bacon Bash Cook-Off Competition will receive a Golden Ticket and paid entry to the World Food Championships along with a $1,000 travel stipend. Bacon Bash is a two-day, family-friendly event featuring a variety of bacon-inspired food booths, cook-off competitions, pig-themed activities for the entire family, live music, an arts and crafts fair, local microbrews, and much more! VIEW SITE

Tennessee State Qualifier / Springer’s Scenic City Wings

in Chattanooga, TN on September 23, 2018

Public Markets is the official Tennessee State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018.  A Golden Ticket, with waived entry, will be given away to one lucky person to compete in the 2018 World Chicken Championship. VIEW SITE

JUBILEE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

in Old Towne Daphne, AL on September 29-30, 2018

The Jubilee Festival is held the last full weekend in September and takes place on the streets of Olde Towne Daphne. Now in its 30th year, the Festival is a celebration of the arts, the city of Daphne and the Jubilee spirit. This year, we will incorporate more than fine arts. The performing arts, the spirit of the Southern Maker and the culinary arts are an integral element of the Jubilee Festival. Nearly 15,000 patrons from along the gulf coast attend this event every year. The festival hosts more than 100 artisans. We're excited to offer two opportunities to win Golden Tickets -- one for the World Chef Challenge and one for the World Sandwich Championship. VIEW SITE

Texas State Qualifier / Super Chef Series

in Port Aransas, TX on October 3-6, 2018

The City of Port Aransas is the official Texas State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. (12) Golden Tickets, with waived entry, will be awarded to the chef winners to compete in the 2018 World Chef Challenge. VIEW SITE

ALABAMA FESTIVAL OF FLAVOR

in Foley, AL on October 6-7, 2018

The Festival of Flavor will give chefs an opportunity to qualify for the World Sandwich Championship that will take place in November at The Wharf in Orange Beach. The winner of the World Food Championships will receive $100,000 in cash and prizes and be named The World Food Champion! The Chamber and the Festival of Flavor are proud to be a qualifying host of the event! The Festival of Flavor will be held on October 7 and will be open to the public. The festival will have sample tastes not only from competing Chefs, but also from local breweries, wineries, restaurants, mom-and-pop shops and so much more. VIEW SITE

California State Qualifier / Cali Cooking Competition

in Hollywood, CA on October 13-14, 2018

Gotham Steel is the official California State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. (20) Golden Tickets, with waived entry, will be given away to the winners of the ten categories of competition at the Cali Cooking Competition. VIEW SITE

Georgia State Qualifier / Best Burger Battle (for 2019)

in Atlanta, GA on October 20, 2018

The Greater McDonough Business Association is the official Georgia State Partner for qualifying teams into WFC2018. Atlanta Magazine's, Best Burger Battle, is now a Georgia State Qualifier for 2019 and two Golden Tickets with waived entry will be given for use at the 2019 World Food Championships. Visit http://www.atlantamagazine.com/bestburgerbattle/ for more information. VIEW SITE