Final Table: Bentonville - - Meet Jack MacMurray, World Bacon Champion

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Posted Mar 12, 2025

Final Table: Bentonville - - Meet Jack MacMurray, World Bacon Champion

Name: Jack MacMurray
2024 World Bacon Champion

Hometown: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Currently Resides: Ballwin, Missouri

Social Media:
Instagram: @jerseyjackmac

Designation: Professional Chef

Q: Tell us about your culinary journey. Who or what inspired you to cook?
A: From Wendy’s cook at 15 to slinging pizzas in Vail CO at 22 and culinary school at the Academy of Culinary Arts at ACC in South Jersey (3.65 GPA Silver Medalist). Back to Vail CO, working at the prestigious Sonnenalp Resort for five years and landing Banquet Chef within a year and Executive Sous Chef at the 2.5-year mark; responsible for 8 chefs, 65 cooks & stewards. DiRoNa Award winning, four different restaurants. My first Executive Chef role in 1998 at Blu's for three years, then moved to my wife's hometown in late 2001. Held a handful of Exec Chef positions the past 24 years. Currently Executive Chef at Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters, Missouri. Three-year winner of the Vail's Chili & Salsa Cookoff, STL Cajun Cookoff 2009 Champion (and 4-time runner up), and 2010 Taste of St. Louis Battle Chef Royale Champion. My inspiration came from my love of food and I never wanted to work for my Dad again!

Q: How long have you been cooking?
A: 35 years

Q: How many times have you competed at WFC?
A: Five times

Q: What categories have you competed in at WFC?
A: Bacon

Q: What motivated you to get into Food Sport?
A: The thrill of competing, Win or Lose.

Q: How would you describe your experience in Indianapolis at WFC 2024 and being named a Champion?
A: Had an amazing time in the new host city (Indianapolis). Happy to see it well attended by Hoosiers! Setup was great with the new viewing areas. Everyone was just stoked to be there! After my year of battling cancer, I won by just making it back after collapsing in Dallas 2023. Then making the top 7, I went for the kill and victory!!!

Q: What is your favorite WFC memory/experience as a competitor?
A: All the genuine camaraderie. Hands down the best!

Q: What would a Final Table victory mean to you? Any ideas on how you would spend/invest your winnings?
A: Literally the world! Over 3 1/2 decades of blood, sweat & many tears! Grateful to make it to my second Final Table and I have some unfinished business to attend to. (With the prize money), I'd buy our daughter a new car for graduating KU in May! Then a vacation to Spain, France & Greece!

Q: Any advice for folks considering entering the WFC Kitchen Arena in the future?
A: Let your passion lead the way! Learn from your mistakes or you'll never win at WFC.

Q: Tell us an interesting fact that few people know about you:
A: I competed in the 1997 U.S. Extreme Skiing Championships in Crested Butte CO. I finished 63 out of 253. My Dad would say something very important to me after: At least you swung the bat kid!

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Final Table: Bentonville - - Meet Jack MacMurray, World Bacon Champion

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