Elite Qualifiers
SCA Ancillary Golden Ticket Holder
in Various Locations, on January 1, 2024
Any SCA Ancillary category golden ticket holder is qualified to compete in one of the following 2024 categories: Sandwich, Bacon, Dessert, Chef, Seafood, Vegetarian. Reserve your spot today!
in Various Locations, on January 1, 2024
Any SCA Ancillary category golden ticket holder is qualified to compete in one of the following 2024 categories: Sandwich, Bacon, Dessert, Chef, Seafood, Vegetarian. Reserve your spot today!
BaconFest MKE
in Milwaukee, WI on February 25, 2024
Bacon Mac & Cheese. Bacon smashed sliders. Bacon stuffed meatballs. Bacon rice crispies treats. Bacon jalapeno poppers. Bacon. More bacon. Sound like foods you’d like in your belly? If so, 102.9 The Hog's Baconfest MKE is for you. The 12th annual event, presented by Farmland and Patrick Cudahy, returns to Potawatomi Casino Hotel on Sunday, Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for another year of meatastic gluttony. PLUS select restaurants will compete for a 2024 Golden Ticket into the Bacon Category!
in Milwaukee, WI on February 25, 2024
Bacon Mac & Cheese. Bacon smashed sliders. Bacon stuffed meatballs. Bacon rice crispies treats. Bacon jalapeno poppers. Bacon. More bacon. Sound like foods you’d like in your belly? If so, 102.9 The Hog's Baconfest MKE is for you. The 12th annual event, presented by Farmland and Patrick Cudahy, returns to Potawatomi Casino Hotel on Sunday, Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for another year of meatastic gluttony. PLUS select restaurants will compete for a 2024 Golden Ticket into the Bacon Category!
SCA Steak Golden Ticket Holder
in Various Locations, on February 29, 2024
Any Any SCA golden ticket holder in Steak is qualified to compete in the Live Fire category at the 2024 World Food Championships in Indianapolis. Claim your spot today!
in Various Locations, on February 29, 2024
Any Any SCA golden ticket holder in Steak is qualified to compete in the Live Fire category at the 2024 World Food Championships in Indianapolis. Claim your spot today!
The Gulf Coast Beer, Bacon & BBQ Festival
in Gulfport, MS on March 2, 2024
The Gulf Coast Beer, Bacon & BBQ Festival is held at the Hollywood Warehouse where they build movie sets and props and is the perfect backdrop for our event. We sell out each year with over 600 tickets and over 100 vendors and volunteers. Our event is a coast favorite and we have the best time showcasing some of the best Breweries, Restaurants and Chefs that the Coast has to offer. This year's winners in the Bacon and BBQ contests will receive a Golden Ticket to compete at the 2024 World Food Championships!
in Gulfport, MS on March 2, 2024
The Gulf Coast Beer, Bacon & BBQ Festival is held at the Hollywood Warehouse where they build movie sets and props and is the perfect backdrop for our event. We sell out each year with over 600 tickets and over 100 vendors and volunteers. Our event is a coast favorite and we have the best time showcasing some of the best Breweries, Restaurants and Chefs that the Coast has to offer. This year's winners in the Bacon and BBQ contests will receive a Golden Ticket to compete at the 2024 World Food Championships!
Surf & Earth Culinary Competitions
in Ocean City, MD on March 3-4, 2024
The OCHMRA Expo (Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant Association) will be home to this exciting new Maryland WFC Qualifier where two Golden Tickets will be awarded in Chef and Seafood.
in Ocean City, MD on March 3-4, 2024
The OCHMRA Expo (Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant Association) will be home to this exciting new Maryland WFC Qualifier where two Golden Tickets will be awarded in Chef and Seafood.
The Truffle Masters
in Houston, TX on March 4, 2024
Celebrating 10 years in 2024, The Truffle Masters will host 30 top Houston chefs as they battle it out using one super-lux ingredient – the black truffle.
in Houston, TX on March 4, 2024
Celebrating 10 years in 2024, The Truffle Masters will host 30 top Houston chefs as they battle it out using one super-lux ingredient – the black truffle.
Cowtown Burger Showdown
in Fort Worth, TX on March 16, 2024
Who has the best burger in North Texas? The Third Annual Cowtown Burger Showdown aims to find out! This is a family-friendly event. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Brotherhood For the Fallen, a Texas-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to responding to officer families who have been killed in the line of duty. Two Golden Tickets to compete in WFC 2024 will be awarded.
in Fort Worth, TX on March 16, 2024
Who has the best burger in North Texas? The Third Annual Cowtown Burger Showdown aims to find out! This is a family-friendly event. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Brotherhood For the Fallen, a Texas-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to responding to officer families who have been killed in the line of duty. Two Golden Tickets to compete in WFC 2024 will be awarded.
Taste of Lake Murray
in Columbia, SC on March 21, 2024
The Lake Murray Country Region’s most popular “Party With A Purpose” is set for March 21, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton! Dance the night away while listening to music from The Voltage Brothers on the main stage and Under the Sun on the outdoor stage. Sample flavors from around the region and vote for your favorite chef to join Team Lake Murray Country at the World Food Championships.
in Columbia, SC on March 21, 2024
The Lake Murray Country Region’s most popular “Party With A Purpose” is set for March 21, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton! Dance the night away while listening to music from The Voltage Brothers on the main stage and Under the Sun on the outdoor stage. Sample flavors from around the region and vote for your favorite chef to join Team Lake Murray Country at the World Food Championships.
Iron Fork
in Nashville, TN on April 4, 2024
The Nashville Scene’s 15th Annual Iron Fork, presented by US Foods, returns with top chefs from Music City's best restaurants battling it out to vie for the coveted Iron Fork Champions trophy and entry to the 2024 World Food Championships. This year's catch? All of our competitors have already won Iron Fork before... and now they'll compete as the best of the best to be crowned the Ultimate Iron Fork Champion!
in Nashville, TN on April 4, 2024
The Nashville Scene’s 15th Annual Iron Fork, presented by US Foods, returns with top chefs from Music City's best restaurants battling it out to vie for the coveted Iron Fork Champions trophy and entry to the 2024 World Food Championships. This year's catch? All of our competitors have already won Iron Fork before... and now they'll compete as the best of the best to be crowned the Ultimate Iron Fork Champion!
Battle of the Burger
in Nashville, TN on April 25, 2024
Battle of the Burger is an official World Food Championship Qualifying Event. The “Battle of the Burger Fan Favorite” winner will earn a waived entry to compete in the 2024 World Burger Championships in Indianapolis, November 8 - 12, where they will be one of 20 teams competing for the World Burger Champion title, $10,000 in cash and the opportunity to advance to WFC's Final Table and a $150,000 grand prize. Additionally, the winner will receive (2) VIP Lounge passes to take a break between all the epic culinary action.
in Nashville, TN on April 25, 2024
Battle of the Burger is an official World Food Championship Qualifying Event. The “Battle of the Burger Fan Favorite” winner will earn a waived entry to compete in the 2024 World Burger Championships in Indianapolis, November 8 - 12, where they will be one of 20 teams competing for the World Burger Champion title, $10,000 in cash and the opportunity to advance to WFC's Final Table and a $150,000 grand prize. Additionally, the winner will receive (2) VIP Lounge passes to take a break between all the epic culinary action.
Arkansas Pie Festival
in Cherokee Village, AR on April 27, 2024
The Arkansas Pie Festival is set to return to Cherokee Village on April 29, 2023 as a partner of the World Food Championship, the biggest Food Sport event in the world. As an official qualifying event for WFC, the Arkansas Pie Festival will award one Golden Ticket to its champion making them eligible to compete in the Dessert category at the international cooking tournament this fall.
in Cherokee Village, AR on April 27, 2024
The Arkansas Pie Festival is set to return to Cherokee Village on April 29, 2023 as a partner of the World Food Championship, the biggest Food Sport event in the world. As an official qualifying event for WFC, the Arkansas Pie Festival will award one Golden Ticket to its champion making them eligible to compete in the Dessert category at the international cooking tournament this fall.
Get Wild With Wild Rice
in Online Recipe Contest, MN on May 6-June 10, 2024
If you’ve got the “chops” to match your cooking skills against others in a competition of culinary creativity, then you’ll be in for a “wild” (rice) time! Get Wild with Wild Rice Recipe contest is open May 6 – June 10. WFC Golden Ticket into the 2024 World Soup Championship will be awarded.
in Online Recipe Contest, MN on May 6-June 10, 2024
If you’ve got the “chops” to match your cooking skills against others in a competition of culinary creativity, then you’ll be in for a “wild” (rice) time! Get Wild with Wild Rice Recipe contest is open May 6 – June 10. WFC Golden Ticket into the 2024 World Soup Championship will be awarded.
SmokeSlam
in Memphis, TN on May 16-18, 2024
ATTENTION BBQ TEAMS - WHO WANTS THAT CROWN? Is it a heavyweight championship competition? A concert? A carnival? A battle royale for braggin’ rights and big bucks? A celebration of all things Q? The best three days of your life? For fans of smoked meat and good times, the answer is all of the above. SmokeSlam will be a barbecue festival like no other – serious about competition and making the event a great experience for teams and guests alike.
in Memphis, TN on May 16-18, 2024
ATTENTION BBQ TEAMS - WHO WANTS THAT CROWN? Is it a heavyweight championship competition? A concert? A carnival? A battle royale for braggin’ rights and big bucks? A celebration of all things Q? The best three days of your life? For fans of smoked meat and good times, the answer is all of the above. SmokeSlam will be a barbecue festival like no other – serious about competition and making the event a great experience for teams and guests alike.
Miracle League Burger Competition- Little Rock
in Little Rock, AR on June 9, 2024
MLB (Miracle League Burger) Competitions in Little Rock, Sunday, June 11th. The competition is open to Food Enthusiasts, Home Cooks and Professional Chefs who will be stepping up to the plate in hopes of hitting it out of the park with the BEST BURGER in the competition! Judging will be "blind" plus a People's Choice. The overall winner will be awarded a Golden Ticket with entry to compete in the World Burger Championship at the WFC this November in Indianapolis! For more information contact miracleleaguear@yahoo.com. All proceeds benefit the Miracle League of Arkansas, which is a baseball league for kids and adults with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Miracle League…it’s more than baseball!
in Little Rock, AR on June 9, 2024
MLB (Miracle League Burger) Competitions in Little Rock, Sunday, June 11th. The competition is open to Food Enthusiasts, Home Cooks and Professional Chefs who will be stepping up to the plate in hopes of hitting it out of the park with the BEST BURGER in the competition! Judging will be "blind" plus a People's Choice. The overall winner will be awarded a Golden Ticket with entry to compete in the World Burger Championship at the WFC this November in Indianapolis! For more information contact miracleleaguear@yahoo.com. All proceeds benefit the Miracle League of Arkansas, which is a baseball league for kids and adults with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Miracle League…it’s more than baseball!
Southeastern BBQ Showdown
in Columbia, SC on June 15, 2024
On Saturday, June 15, 30 BBQ teams from across the competition BBQ world will cook and provide samples to the public. One team will win a golden ticket into 2024 World Barbecue Championship!
in Columbia, SC on June 15, 2024
On Saturday, June 15, 30 BBQ teams from across the competition BBQ world will cook and provide samples to the public. One team will win a golden ticket into 2024 World Barbecue Championship!
Eastside Games Cooking Competition
in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 17, 2024
This is a surprise ingredients challenge for a maximum of 10 chefs in Indianapolis, IN. $200 registration fee. www.edingames.com/registration.html This 90-minute competition features the utilization of a themed secret ingredient. This ingredient will be unveiled at the start of the competition at the host site. A culinary curve ball will be introduced 30-minutes into the competition. A non-mandatory bonus ingredient will be unveiled at 45-minutes, but will present a culinary challenge to competitors, who must decide whether it can be incorporated into their dish. Chefs must turn in a completed, composed dish. E.A.T Methodology will be used by a panel of professional chefs to judge final dishes. To enquire about registration, contact treddicks@partamountindy.org.
in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 17, 2024
This is a surprise ingredients challenge for a maximum of 10 chefs in Indianapolis, IN. $200 registration fee. www.edingames.com/registration.html This 90-minute competition features the utilization of a themed secret ingredient. This ingredient will be unveiled at the start of the competition at the host site. A culinary curve ball will be introduced 30-minutes into the competition. A non-mandatory bonus ingredient will be unveiled at 45-minutes, but will present a culinary challenge to competitors, who must decide whether it can be incorporated into their dish. Chefs must turn in a completed, composed dish. E.A.T Methodology will be used by a panel of professional chefs to judge final dishes. To enquire about registration, contact treddicks@partamountindy.org.
Big Sky Bonanza
in Billings, MT on June 23, 2024
We are scouring the Magic City area for the best of the best entrees for lunch and dinner. Enjoy a live band while the Best Burger competition takes place, with beef sponsored by the Montana Beef Council. The winner of the Big Sky Burger Competition will receive a golden Ticket to participate at this year's World Food Championships in Indianapolis!
in Billings, MT on June 23, 2024
We are scouring the Magic City area for the best of the best entrees for lunch and dinner. Enjoy a live band while the Best Burger competition takes place, with beef sponsored by the Montana Beef Council. The winner of the Big Sky Burger Competition will receive a golden Ticket to participate at this year's World Food Championships in Indianapolis!
Japan Burger Championship 2024
in Saitama, Japan on June 27-30, 2024
Japan Burger Championship is a hybrid food event combined food festival and cooking competition and an official qualifier of the World Food Championships. Eighteen burger shops passed the qualifying round in Osaka and Tokyo. Now those 18 will face off in Saitama at the Saitama Super Arena and compete for a coveted Golden Ticket to represent Japan at the 2024 World Food Championships.
in Saitama, Japan on June 27-30, 2024
Japan Burger Championship is a hybrid food event combined food festival and cooking competition and an official qualifier of the World Food Championships. Eighteen burger shops passed the qualifying round in Osaka and Tokyo. Now those 18 will face off in Saitama at the Saitama Super Arena and compete for a coveted Golden Ticket to represent Japan at the 2024 World Food Championships.
Golden Ticket Tapas Challenge
in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 8, 2024
This is a surprise ingredients challenge for a maximum of 5 chefs in Indianapolis, IN. $200 registration fee. This 90-minute tapas competition features the utilization of a themed secret ingredient, unveiled at the start of the competition. A culinary curve ball will be introduced 30-minutes into the competition, forcing the chefs to adjust their dish to include the new twist. A non-mandatory bonus ingredient (selected by audience vote) will be unveiled at 45-minutes, but will present a culinary challenge to competitors, who must decide whether it can be incorporated into their dish in the final 15-minutes. Judges must be served at the 60-minute mark, and then chefs will have 30 minutes to complete their service to all guests. Participants will arrive to a Spanish themed charcuterie and enjoy drinks from the bar. Participants will determine (via vote) the "bonus ingredient" for the evening, and then finish the night enjoying each competing chef's tapas offering. Participants will vote for their favorite tapas and that vote will help a panel of four expert judges determine the winner of the Golden Ticket using the E.A.T. methodology.
in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 8, 2024
This is a surprise ingredients challenge for a maximum of 5 chefs in Indianapolis, IN. $200 registration fee. This 90-minute tapas competition features the utilization of a themed secret ingredient, unveiled at the start of the competition. A culinary curve ball will be introduced 30-minutes into the competition, forcing the chefs to adjust their dish to include the new twist. A non-mandatory bonus ingredient (selected by audience vote) will be unveiled at 45-minutes, but will present a culinary challenge to competitors, who must decide whether it can be incorporated into their dish in the final 15-minutes. Judges must be served at the 60-minute mark, and then chefs will have 30 minutes to complete their service to all guests. Participants will arrive to a Spanish themed charcuterie and enjoy drinks from the bar. Participants will determine (via vote) the "bonus ingredient" for the evening, and then finish the night enjoying each competing chef's tapas offering. Participants will vote for their favorite tapas and that vote will help a panel of four expert judges determine the winner of the Golden Ticket using the E.A.T. methodology.
Grilled Cheese Throwdown
in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 20, 2024
6 Chefs: $200 registration fee. Each chef must prepare a whole sandwich as a standout presentation for the entry’s evaluation at their station (Appearance), while also preparing a minimum of 54 bite-sized pieces for tasting over the course of the hour-long competition. There is no size limit for a Grilled Cheese sandwich for appearance or individual samples/bites. Chefs should consider the appropriate sample size for a judging participant to fully appreciate the flavor of the sandwich entry (Taste) and to deliver the desired combination of flavors and textures (Execution). Chefs should be prepared to create one display sandwich and a minimum of 54 Grilled Cheese samples within one hour. Beginning at 6 PM, samples should be prepared for the panel of 4 expert judges and 50 guests. Chefs have one hour to serve all guests and judges. To enquire about registration and contest rules, contact treddicks@partamountindy.org.
in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 20, 2024
6 Chefs: $200 registration fee. Each chef must prepare a whole sandwich as a standout presentation for the entry’s evaluation at their station (Appearance), while also preparing a minimum of 54 bite-sized pieces for tasting over the course of the hour-long competition. There is no size limit for a Grilled Cheese sandwich for appearance or individual samples/bites. Chefs should consider the appropriate sample size for a judging participant to fully appreciate the flavor of the sandwich entry (Taste) and to deliver the desired combination of flavors and textures (Execution). Chefs should be prepared to create one display sandwich and a minimum of 54 Grilled Cheese samples within one hour. Beginning at 6 PM, samples should be prepared for the panel of 4 expert judges and 50 guests. Chefs have one hour to serve all guests and judges. To enquire about registration and contest rules, contact treddicks@partamountindy.org.
Taste of Tennessee - Big Beef Showdown
in Lebanon, TN on August 17, 2024
The Wilson County Fair Board is pleased to partner with the World Food Championships (WFC) on its 4th Annual Taste of Tennessee - Big Beef Showdown! As a competitor at the Big Beef Showdown, you will be competing for the chance to win one of four (4) Golden Tickets to the 2024 World Food Championships held from November 8-12 in Indianapolis.
in Lebanon, TN on August 17, 2024
The Wilson County Fair Board is pleased to partner with the World Food Championships (WFC) on its 4th Annual Taste of Tennessee - Big Beef Showdown! As a competitor at the Big Beef Showdown, you will be competing for the chance to win one of four (4) Golden Tickets to the 2024 World Food Championships held from November 8-12 in Indianapolis.
Big Kahuna Wing Festival
in Knoxville, TN on September 1, 2024
The Big Kahuna Wing Festival has become one of the best culinary events in the region. In 2022, the festival drew over 5,000 attendees who enjoyed over 100 different sauces from 30 different teams representing restaurants, cooking teams, businesses, and The University of Tennessee Culinary Institute. Attendees and visitors come from all over the region. All for the love of the "Buffalo Wing" and to raise money for charity.
in Knoxville, TN on September 1, 2024
The Big Kahuna Wing Festival has become one of the best culinary events in the region. In 2022, the festival drew over 5,000 attendees who enjoyed over 100 different sauces from 30 different teams representing restaurants, cooking teams, businesses, and The University of Tennessee Culinary Institute. Attendees and visitors come from all over the region. All for the love of the "Buffalo Wing" and to raise money for charity.
Miracle League Burger Competition- Little Rock
in Little Rock, AR on September 19, 2024
MLB (Miracle League Burger) Competitions in Little Rock, Sunday, June 11th. The competition is open to Food Enthusiasts, Home Cooks and Professional Chefs who will be stepping up to the plate in hopes of hitting it out of the park with the BEST BURGER in the competition! Judging will be "blind" plus a People's Choice. The overall winner will be awarded a Golden Ticket with entry to compete in the World Burger Championship at the WFC this November in Indianapolis! For more information contact miracleleaguear@yahoo.com. All proceeds benefit the Miracle League of Arkansas, which is a baseball league for kids and adults with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Miracle League…it’s more than baseball!
in Little Rock, AR on September 19, 2024
MLB (Miracle League Burger) Competitions in Little Rock, Sunday, June 11th. The competition is open to Food Enthusiasts, Home Cooks and Professional Chefs who will be stepping up to the plate in hopes of hitting it out of the park with the BEST BURGER in the competition! Judging will be "blind" plus a People's Choice. The overall winner will be awarded a Golden Ticket with entry to compete in the World Burger Championship at the WFC this November in Indianapolis! For more information contact miracleleaguear@yahoo.com. All proceeds benefit the Miracle League of Arkansas, which is a baseball league for kids and adults with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. Miracle League…it’s more than baseball!
Perfect Bite Championships
in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 22, 2024
20 Chefs: $200 registration fee. The competition will center in three Golden Ticket categories (to be named by June 1, 2024). All 20 participating chefs will be competing in one of the three categories. In this way, winners will move on to the World Food Championships in the same category they competed in at the Perfect Bite Championships. Beginning at 6 PM and lasting for one hour, guests will have a single ticket for voting for their favorite bite. With 150 in attendance, Chefs should be prepared to serve a between 150 and 175 bites. At the end of the first hour, all tickets will be counted. The chef with the most tickets in each category will automatically make the finals and have a chance for a World Food Championship Golden Ticket. A team of culinary experts (who will also be judging the finals) will determine the second chef moving on to the finals using the E.A.T. Methodology. The six finals chefs will compete in a 45-minute head-to-head “perfect plate” challenge. A team of culinary experts will judge the finals using the E.A.T. methodology from the World Food Championships. The winning chef receives $1,000. 2nd place receives $750, and 3rd place receives $500. To enquire about registration and contest rules, contact treddicks@partamountindy.org.
in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 22, 2024
20 Chefs: $200 registration fee. The competition will center in three Golden Ticket categories (to be named by June 1, 2024). All 20 participating chefs will be competing in one of the three categories. In this way, winners will move on to the World Food Championships in the same category they competed in at the Perfect Bite Championships. Beginning at 6 PM and lasting for one hour, guests will have a single ticket for voting for their favorite bite. With 150 in attendance, Chefs should be prepared to serve a between 150 and 175 bites. At the end of the first hour, all tickets will be counted. The chef with the most tickets in each category will automatically make the finals and have a chance for a World Food Championship Golden Ticket. A team of culinary experts (who will also be judging the finals) will determine the second chef moving on to the finals using the E.A.T. Methodology. The six finals chefs will compete in a 45-minute head-to-head “perfect plate” challenge. A team of culinary experts will judge the finals using the E.A.T. methodology from the World Food Championships. The winning chef receives $1,000. 2nd place receives $750, and 3rd place receives $500. To enquire about registration and contest rules, contact treddicks@partamountindy.org.
World Open Chili Championship
in Myrtle Beach, SC on September 29, 2024
Do you have a GREAT chili recipe? Are your friends and neighbors always telling you that you should enter a cook-off? Well, now is your chance! The World Open Chili Challenge is open to amateurs and experts alike. This category allows chili cooks, pro chefs and home cooks to focus on making their best chili creation outside the confines of a traditional, sanctioned chili cook-off. The winner earns a Golden Ticket into the 2024 World Soup Championships in Indianapolis!
in Myrtle Beach, SC on September 29, 2024
Do you have a GREAT chili recipe? Are your friends and neighbors always telling you that you should enter a cook-off? Well, now is your chance! The World Open Chili Challenge is open to amateurs and experts alike. This category allows chili cooks, pro chefs and home cooks to focus on making their best chili creation outside the confines of a traditional, sanctioned chili cook-off. The winner earns a Golden Ticket into the 2024 World Soup Championships in Indianapolis!