In light of the continuing developments of the COVID-19 virus and an announcement yesterday from the Governor of Indiana, the World Food Championships (WFC) and its Indiana partners — Visit Indy, Ivy Tech Community College, Sysco and Team Indiana — just announced that The $100,000 Final Table and corresponding food events have been rescheduled for August 5-9, 2020.
“While we have been eagerly and diligently planning the crescendo moment of Food Sport, the last thing we want to do is endanger the health of our colleagues and community during this continuing crisis that not only impacts Indy, but also our nation. We certainly understand and will follow all precautionary guidelines from Indiana and its leaders, so postponing our event is certainly the right thing to do at this time.”
– World Food Championships CEO Mike McCloud
Team Indiana and Culinary Crossroads will provide updates on this site and via social media in the days and weeks to come.
After winning the 2019 Indy Burger Battle and competing with Team Indiana in the World Food Championships, Indianapolis Star food writer Liz Biro has highlighted Chef Erin Gillum of Spoke & Steele as one of her 8 chefs to watch in 2020.
Erin’s distinctly Asian flavors and incredible craft shine through her menu. She competed in the World Sandwich Championships this year in Dallas, her first foray into the world of food sport.
Team Indiana member Justin Miller of Anthony’s Chophouse in Carmel was featured this week by Visit Hamilton County. His restaurant and the trendy 3UP Rooftop Bar above are part of a new wave of dining experiences in Downtown Carmel.
If you do take Justin’s cue and slow down, you’ll see that Anthony’s Chophouse offers a fine-dining experience without fine-dining stuffiness. This is in part a product of Justin’s and Anthony’s collective style, but it’s also a reflection of current dining trends
John Thomas, Visit Hamilton County
Justin was a finalist at the 2019 World Food Championships, finishing in the Top 10 of the World Recipe Championship and automatically qualifying for the 2020 Main Event.
Fresh off its 8th Annual Main Event and Dallas debut, World Food Championships (WFC) is busy preparing for its crowning moment by adding in new surprises for ten award-winning Food Champs and food sport fans from around the nation. Organizers of The Ultimate Food Fight announced today more details for its Final Table challenge, which will be held in May and feature a $100,000 grand prize.
During the Main Event’s opening rounds in October, Mike McCloud, CEO and President of WFC, revealed that its 8th annual Final Table challenge will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from May 8-10th, 2020. While more details will be released at the first of the year, McCloud did tease a few exciting elements for the much-anticipated competition.
“We are really excited to be partnering with such a great culinary destination. Indianapolis has always been a great supporter of Food Sport, and we can’t wait for our 2019 Category Champions to see what creative culinary challenges await them in this incredible city during our upcoming $100,000 Final Table.”
Mike McCloud, CEO of World Food Championships
For the first time in its history, WFC is kicking off its grand finale with a full week of programming and new events entitled “Culinary Crossroads: Food Week” which will include celebrations devoted to highlighting Indianapolis’ culinary people, places and products. The opening days of the event will also feature a Food Champ University seminar that will take an in-depth look into the world of Food Sport, including an open Q&A session about the WFC 2020 EAT-X judging process.
Key Dates for “Final Table: Indianapolis”
May 5, 6, 7 – Culinary Crossroads: Food Week / Food Champ University
May 8, 9, 10 – Final Table Competition Days
Final Table: Indianapolis will feature three rounds of challenges inspired by the host city’s cuisine. Unlike last year’s Final Table tournament (which held three competitions in two days), the 2019 finalists will participate in one cooking challenge per day to narrow the field down from 10 Food Champs to three contestants, one of which will be crowned the next World Food Champion. More details on the seminar days and challenges (including attendance restrictions for the final day) will be revealed in the coming weeks.
WFC’s Team Indiana Coordinator and State Relations Advisor, Larry Dickerson, made it known that there is already a flurry of activity and tremendous energy surrounding WFC bringing its Final Table challenge to Indianapolis.
“Our phones are ringing and emails are coming in daily from individuals and organizations wanting to be involved with the preparation for placing Indianapolis and the entire state of Indiana on the national culinary stage. We are confident that attendees will walk away with a deep understanding of why Indiana is truly the Culinary Crossroads of America.”
Larry Dickerson, Culinary Crossroads
Mark your calendars and keep up with all WFC news by following the event on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).
