
We're excited to see the field of competitors who have already won their golden ticket and registered to compete at the 2019 World Food Championships. And we are always proud to announce our special guests and celebrity judges participating in our judging events across the nation - we're sure the championship food certainly helps! Best of luck to our 2019 competitors!

COMPETITOR
Spice Your Life Rub Your Meat
HEAD COOK: Michael Hogan
COMPETITION: Bacon World Championship
My full time job is a Safety Consultant and CPR Instructor for The Cure Safety in Omaha, NE. I am a Certified American Heart CPR and First Aid Instructor and also a Certified American Red Cross First Aid and CPR Instructor My Mother was my first Culinary Instructor when I was 12, leaving detailed instructions on how to prepare dinner while she and my Dad were at work. At age 16 started working at Big Boy Restaurants and then followed my Manager to Brandeis and Younkers Catering and Food Service. Currently the Chief Cook for the Competition Team, Spice Your Life Rub Your Meat. I was a Certified Barbeque Judge and a former Board Member of The Greater Omaha Barbeque Society. I love watching food shows and then doing my own take on the dish. I do cooking classes once a month at Fireplace Stone and Patio of Nebraska teaching people simple ways to to utilize their smoker and grill with foods they normally wouldn't cook. I have several cooking awards from BBQ to Bacon. I actually think the Bacon category is the hardest because there's so many different directions you can go. This will be the 4th year in row at WFC competing in the Bacon Category. Last year I finished 2nd in the Structured dish of Bacon Pizza but a misstep with my Signature Dish had the clock beating me and turned it in with just 2 seconds on the clock. Coming back for redemption. I have competed in the Omaha Beer and Bacon Festival 4 times qualifying for WFC 3 times. Have also competed in Culinary Fight Club 2 times winning the Tasters Choice both times. In 2018 my daughter at age 6 entered her first Kid's Q placing 1st. This year I qualified for the Bacon Category through Taste of America placing 1st in the state of Nebraska against several awesome people I consider great friends. Over the the last 3 years have met so many great people in Orange Beach from the local community to the wonderful Chefs and Cooks I will miss Orange Beach and the great friends I have made the last three years, but look forward to making new relationships in Dallas and seeing friends old and new. Good luck to all