INDIANAPOLIS – Culinary Crossroads, a statewide branding initiative focused on spotlighting the people, products, places and services of Indiana’s culinary community, recently revealed the World Food Championships (WFC) will be moving to Indianapolis in November 2024.
In hosting this event, Indianapolis will take center stage in the world of “food sport competition,” as
1,500 competitors – home cooks, professional chefs and BBQ teams – from across the country and
around the world convene at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion on the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center from November 8 – 12.
Recognized as one of the world’s largest food sports competitions, WFC 2024 will crown champions
in 12 separate categories during the five days of competition. Fans will be able to watch
the competitions, experience a diverse selection of food offerings prepared by competitors, watch
cooking demonstrations and shop at an expansive group of sponsors and exhibitors.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who attended the 2019 World Food Championships in Dallas has
supported the effort to bring the competition to Indianapolis.
“Indianapolis is the perfect destination for the World Food Championships, and we are very excited to serve up some great Hoosier Hospitality to the competitors, sponsors, exhibitors and food sports fans in attendance,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Hosting the World Food Championships will also highlight the incredible offerings of Indiana State Fairgrounds’ new Farm Bureau Pavilion and Ivy Tech Community College’s Culinary Center. They’ll see firsthand why we are the Culinary Crossroads of America.”
Culinary Crossroads director Larry Dickerson noted the collaborative effort to secure the championships.
“We’ve had our eye on bringing the WFC to Indy since 2019 when the Lieutenant Governor accompanied us to Dallas, where the competition has been the past few years, and we set a goal to bring the WFC to Indianapolis,” said Larry Dickerson, director of Culinary Crossroads. “With the assistance of the leadership of Ivy Tech Community College, the Indiana State Fair, Visit Indy, Team Indiana competitors and many others, we’ve brought a great idea to fruition and are on our way to establishing Indianapolis as the Food Sports Capital of America.”
WFC’s founder and chief operating officer Mike McCloud pointed out that this spirit of cooperation and partnership impressed him and will help make Indy an ideal home for the leader in Food Sport.
“This is an exciting day for WFC and Food Sport in general,” said Mike McCloud, founder and chief operating officer of WFC. “Indianapolis is the place where champions are crowned in all types of sporting events and professional and amateur leagues. That reputation, in addition to the diverse culinary scene that has blossomed over the years, makes Indy a perfect home for our Main Event, where we crown the best cooks and chefs from around the globe in iconic categories of food.”
For more information about the World Food Championships, visit WorldFoodChampionships.com.
For more information about Culinary Crossroads, visit CulinaryCrossroads.org.
About World Food Championships
The World Food Championships (WFC) is the highest stakes Food Sport competition in the world. This multi-day, live event culinary competition showcases some of the world’s best cooks who compete for food, fame and fortune in 12 categories (Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Dessert, Live Fire, Rice, Noodle, Sandwich, Seafood, Soup and Vegetarian). Each year as Food Sport kicks off in January, thousands of cook teams try to earn their way into WFC by winning a Golden Ticket at an official qualifying event. Almost 40 countries and every state in America have been represented at WFC’s Main Event since its inception in 2012.
About Culinary Crossroads
Culinary Crossroads shines a spotlight on the people, products, places and services that define
Indiana’s culinary landscape and help make Indiana the place where people want to live, work and play. Culinary Crossroads creates collaborative chefdinners in Indianapolis and around the state, supports charitable causes related to the culinary community and promotes culinary competitions and Indiana food sport competitors including SkillsUSA at the high school level. More information is available at CulinaryCrossroads.org.
