World Food Championships Unveils Lineup of Elite Women for the 2024 Fire Woman Challenge

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Posted Sep 24, 2024

World Food Championships Unveils Lineup of Elite Women for the 2024 Fire Woman Challenge

Indianapolis, IN – (September 25, 2024) – The heat is about to rise as the World Food Championships (WFC) returns to Indianapolis with one of its most anticipated events: the Fire Woman Challenge. This high-stakes culinary competition, which highlights the talents of some of the fiercest women in food sport, has confirmed its nine official contestants for the 2024 challenge. These exceptional competitors will battle it out over live fire, demonstrating their mastery in BBQ, steak, and more on Sunday, November 10 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.

Each contestant brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a distinct cooking style to the table. Here's a closer look at the talented women who will be igniting the fire this year:

Michelle O'Guin (@michelleoguin): With over 17 years in BBQ and steak competitions, Michelle has accumulated multiple 1st Place and Top 5 finishes in over 120 contests. A co-founder of a catering company, Michelle thrives on live fire cooking and placed 3rd in last year’s Fire Woman Challenge. She has also obtained a perfect score in the preliminary round of the Live Fire Category at WFC, finishing 5th overall in the finals.
Lu Holter (@duchessofbbq): Hailing from Hudson, WI, Lu is a three-time Fire Woman competitor. She has been found competing on television programs such as Food Network’s Family Food Showdown, BBQ Brawl, and Guy's Grocery Games. Her dedication and competitive spirit have earned her a respected place in the world of food sport, having won numerous awards nationwide in professional cooking competitions.
Staci Jett (@fire_bourbon_and_bbq): Recently featured on Netflix’s Barbecue Showdown Season 3, Staci is no stranger to live fire cooking. A past Reserve Grand Champion in the Bacon category at WFC, she also balances a successful catering business where she serves BBQ for weddings. Staci is eager to return to WFC and add more titles to her impressive resume.
Christina Dunyon (@smokin_sinbin_bbq): Christina entered competitive food sports alongside her husband just two and a half years ago. Since then, they’ve won multiple Grand and Reserve Grand Champions in BBQ competitions. Christina has also had numerous top 10 placements in the Steak Cook Off Association (SCA), showcasing her versatility and fire-driven passion.
Holly Jubera (@hollyjubera): A home cook from Oxford, MS, Holly competed in the 2022 Fire Woman Challenge and secured 2nd place. When she’s not assisting researchers at Ole Miss, she competes in the Steak Cookoff Association and with pitmaster teams across the country. Holly’s enthusiasm for cooking and love for live fire grilling continue to push her boundaries.
Janet Renee Burkholder (@the_swine_doctors_bbq): Janet, a small animal emergency veterinarian, channels her passion for live fire cooking into her BBQ competition career. With three years of competition under her belt, she has quickly made a name for herself, recently winning Reserve Grand Champion at Smoke on the Rails in PA.
Emma Nguyen (@theculinarycharm): The reigning Fire Woman Champion, Emma is a dynamic competitor and an active explorer of both global flavors and cooking techniques. She’s known for participating in numerous food events and demonstrations surrounded by her culinary family, and her skill with live fire cooking is sure to make her a strong contender for this year’s title.
Brytt Bojczak (@bryttbojczak): Brytt competed in the 2023 Fire Woman Challenge and Live Fire category at WFC, finishing with a near-perfect score and 6th place in the final round. Her reputation as a top-tier competitor has been solidified by her victory on the TV show Barbecue Country. She is ready to come back stronger and build on her previous successes at this year’s challenge.
Joyce Regino (@smoke_and_grit): With a background steeped in live fire traditions, Joyce has competed in over 96 BBQ Sanctioned Competitions, securing multiple Grand and Reserve Grand Championships. She started competing alongside her husband and now co-owns the Regi-Q BBQ seasoning company. Joyce’s love for food and her ability to innovate traditional dishes make her a fierce competitor.

These nine contestants will light up the competition at the Fire Woman Challenge, showcasing the best in live-fire cooking. As the countdown begins, food sport fans eagerly anticipate who will rise above the flames to claim the 2024 Fire Woman title. The competition will begin at 12 PM EST on Sunday, November 10. Please note, this consumer experience is included in all available ticketing options.

Since its debut in 2012, WFC has garnered a global following, providing unique culinary experiences at live events and through numerous television appearances. The WFC platform has revolutionized competitive cooking, known as “Food Sport,” by offering a level playing field, a fair judging system, and innovative culinary programming. Over the years, WFC has facilitated the creation of more than 10,000 new dishes and has partnered with local non-profits, charities, and food banks across the U.S. The 2024 World Food Championships will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from November 8-12, with qualifying events taking place throughout the year. Tickets to the 2024 World Food Championships can be purchased via the Indiana State Fair website.

Consumers and competitors can stay informed on all the latest announcements and programming for the upcoming championship by following World Food Championships on Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships) and LinkedIn (@WorldFoodChampionshipsHoldings).

About World Food Championships

The World Food Championships (WFC) is the premier food sport competition globally. This multi-day, live culinary event showcases some of the world's best cooks competing for food, fame, and fortune across twelve categories: Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Dessert, Live Fire, Noodle, Rice, Sandwich, Seafood, Soup, and Vegetarian. Each year, thousands of teams vie for a coveted Golden Ticket at official qualifiers to earn their spot at WFC. Since its debut in 2012, the event has attracted participants from nearly 40 countries and every state in the U.S. The 2024 World Food Championships will take place from November 8-12 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis. For more information, visit WorldFoodChampionships.com.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Michael Hand
Chief Marketing Officer, World Food Championships
Phone: 585.348.1287, Email: mhand@worldfoodchampionships.com

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World Food Championships Unveils Lineup of Elite Women for the 2024 Fire Woman Challenge

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