World Food Championships - A Global Culinary Showdown in Indianapolis
Overview
Indianapolis will host the World Food Championships, an event billed as the “world’s largest food sport competition,” for the third consecutive year.
Chefs from dozens of states and countries will compete October 15-18 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.
Indiana competitors have fared well since the 14-year-old event moved to Indianapolis in 2024.
Cunningham Restaurant Group chef Collin Hilton won $10,000 by taking top honors in the noodle category in 2024, and he eventually collected $150,000 and the overall title of World Food Champion in March 2025.
At the October 2025 World Food Championships, Indiana produced two category champions: Circle City Sweets owner Cindy Hawkins (dessert) and Ivy Tech Community College instructor Daniel McDonald (bacon).
Hawkins and McDonald are scheduled to travel to Arkansas this spring to participate in the World Food Championships’ “Final Table” competition.
In addition to the noodle, dessert and bacon categories, the World Food Championships features battles in the categories of barbecue, burger, chef, live fire, sandwich, seafood and vegetarian.
Founded in 2012, the World Food Championships event was staged in Las Vegas; Dallas; Kissimmee, Florida; and the Gulf Shores region of Alabama before moving to Indianapolis.
This year’s event will open with qualifying rounds on October 15 and 16, according to Wednesday’s announcement. On October 17, attendees can check out the WFC Junior, Battle of the Branches, Redemption Tournament and “Biscuits & Jampionship” events. The competition’s final rounds in the 10 core categories are scheduled for October 18.
Map
Upcoming Events at Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center
