As you can tell by our countdown clock, all of us here at Culinary Crossroads are excited to welcome the World Food Championships to Indy in November. But we’re also stoked to see kid chefs take over Kitchen Arena for the second year of the WFC Jr. Competition.
This year’s WFC Jr. competition takes place Friday, Nov. 8 and will spotlight the theme “Healthy Fresh,” challenging student chefs to create their best pork dish using products provided by Indiana Pork. Each competitor will have 90 minutes to prepare one presentation dish and five sample dishes for the judges.
The WFC is currently accepting applications for this Second Annual WFC Jr. Competition. If you are a parent or instructor of an aspiring chef aged 12-17, you can submit their name for consideration by completing the application form here. Please note that submissions must be made by a parent or culinary instructor, as applications directly from prospective competitors will not be accepted.
Participants will be selected based on several criteria, including previous top 5 finishes in the 2023 WFC Jr., a Golden Ticket earned through a student competition, performance in ProStart or SkillsUSA competitions, and/or coach or parent recommendations. The first-place winner will receive $1,500, second place will be awarded $750, and third place will take home $400. Additional awards will be given for best knife skills, best teamwork, and most creative dish, among other categories.
“We are excited to partner with Indiana Pork to inspire and fuel the passion of the next generation of food champs,” said Mike McCloud, founder of World Food Championships. “Our event offers something for every age to enjoy, and we hope that these young chefs will gain valuable experience that may one day lead them to compete in Kitchen Arena at the highest level.”
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 from Nov. 8-12, with qualifying events taking place throughout the year. Tickets to the 2024 World Food Championships can be purchased online.
