COMPETITION OVERVIEW
NOVEMBER 8-12, 2017
ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA
Bacon is no longer just a food … it’s a way of life. America is bacon obsessed. We have shirts, and merch, and fan websites, television shows, entire restaurants all dedicated to broadcasting as loudly as possible, how much we truly love bacon.
The World Food Championships celebrates America’s signature decadence – Bacon. The Bacon World Championship will pit 50 of the world’s best culinary craftsmen against each other for the title of Bacon World Champion. Home cooks, restaurateurs and chefs will all compete to see whose cuisine reigns supreme. The champion will then take their bacon and their best effort to the Final Table for a chance to win the World Food Championship.
BACON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
$10,000 GRAND PRIZE
Schedule and Rules
Competition Structure
The World Food Championships will feature three rounds of competition.
Signature Dish: competitors will create their best recipe for judging within each category.
Structured Build: this round separates the contenders from the pretenders by forcing everyone to create their own spin on the same basic dish.
Infused Ingredient: the top competitors in each category will face off for culinary supremacy using the same ingredient in their final category dish.
2016 Competitor Packets
Competition Schedule and Rules
The Bacon World Championship will be limited to the first 50 entrants who are fully qualified, registered and confirmed. Any qualified entrant who wants to compete after the field is full must seek a special exemption from the WFC competition committee.
The following events are International Qualifiers for the 2017 Bacon World Championship:
Canadian Food Championships - Edmonton, AB Canada - 7/21/17-7/23/17
Caribbean Food Championships - Coco Beach, Puerto Rico - 6/10/17
The following events are Preferred Qualifiers for the 2017 Bacon World Championship:
Bacon Bash - River Falls, WI - 9/16/17-9/17/17
Porktoberque - Dothan, AL - 9/29/17-10/1/17
Taste of America - 1st Place - Online - 6/1/17-7/5/17
The following events are Elite Qualifiers for the 2017 Bacon World Championship:
Food Champ Online Recipe Contests - Online - Monthly
Wild Card Elite Division - Online - 4/5/17-10/1/17
The following competitions are automatic qualifiers for the 2017 Bacon World Championship:
United States Events
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kenmore's Fully Loaded Idaho Potato Cook-Off-Recipe | US | |
| Culinary Fight Club | Various Locations, US | |
| Culinary Fight Club - Bacon | Various Locations, US | |
| Blend The Rules | US | Jan 1, 2017 |
| 2016 Bacon World Champion - Colleen Curley | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 Bacon World Championship - Top Ten - 2nd Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 Bacon World Championship - Top Ten - 3rd Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 Bacon World Championship - Top Ten - 4th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 Bacon World Championship - Top Ten - 5th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 Bacon World Championship - Top Ten - 6th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 Bacon World Championship - Top Ten - 7th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 Bacon World Championship - Top Ten - 8th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 Bacon World Championship - Top Ten - 9th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 Bacon World Championship - Top Ten - Tenth Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| 2016 World Recipe Championship - Top Ten - 9th Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| PorktoberQue | Dothan, AL, US | Sep 29, 2017 |
| 2016 World Recipe Championship - Top Ten - Tenth Place | Orange Beach, AL, US | |
| Grillin In the Ozarks (Chicken Wing competition) | Rogers, AR, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| Rockin' Wings at the Ridge | Walnut Ridge, AR, US | Sep 15, 2017 |
| Rockin' Wings at the Ridge (People's Choice) | Walnut Ridge, AR, US | Sep 15, 2017 |
| Grilling in the Ozarks (Recipe competition) | Rogers, AR, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| Mad Butcher Pink Tomato Festival Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Warren, AR, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Bakersfield Baconfest | Bakersfield, CA, US | Oct 15, 2016 |
| Sacramento Bacon Fest | Sacramento, CA, US | Jan 23, 2017 |
| San Diego Bacon Fest - Judge's Choice | San Diego, CA, US | Sep 2, 2017 |
| Gloria Ferrar's Glorious Bites - Grand Prize Winner | Sonoma, CA, US | Oct 15, 2016 |
| Spud Nation's Throwdown | San Francisco, CA, US | Jan 4, 2017 |
| Gilroy Great Garlic Cook-Off | Gilroy, CA, US | Jul 28, 2017 |
| San Diego Bacon Fest - People's Choice | San Diego, CA, US | Sep 2, 2017 |
| Bakersfield Baconfest (Recipe competition) | Bakersfield, CA, US | Oct 15, 2016 |
| West Coast BBQ Classic (Bacon competition) | Long Beach, CA, US | May 13, 2017 |
| West Coast U.S. Pizza Team Trials | Oceanside, CA, US | Aug 8, 2017 |
| Dewey Beach Bacon Fest | Rehoboth Beach, DE, US | Apr 22, 2017 |
| Riverwalk Bacon Bash - Best Bacon Dish | Fort Lauderdale, FL, US | Jan 22, 2017 |
| Riverwalk Bacon Bash - Chef's Choice Award | Fort Lauderdale, FL, US | Jan 22, 2017 |
| Riverwalk Bacon Bash - Most Creative Use of Bacon | Fort Lauderdale, FL, US | Jan 22, 2017 |
| 2015 Bacon World Champion - Stephen Coe | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
| Jacksonville Magazine - Best Restaurants Bash | Jacksonville, FL, US | Jan 26, 2017 |
| Summer Splash Steak & Chicken Wing Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Jacksonville, FL, US | Aug 5, 2017 |
| Helpful Hands Sizzlin Summer Cooking Challenge (Recipe competition) | Oviedo, FL, US | Aug 26, 2017 |
| Oviedo Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Oviedo, FL, US | Aug 26, 2017 |
| Double T's Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Davenport, FL, US | Sep 8, 2017 |
| 2015 World Recipe Champion - Alethia Shih | Kissimmee, FL, US | |
| Flora-Bama Yacht Club Wild Chef Throwdown (Bacon competition) | Perdido Key, FL, US | Jun 2, 2017 |
| Sonny's Invitational BBQ Smokin Showdown and Steak Cookoff (Steak competition) | Sanford, FL, US | Jan 13, 2017 |
| REEF Palm Beach County Lionfish Derby (People's Choice) | Palm Beach, FL, US | Aug 13, 2017 |
| Waikiki SPAM JAM Festival | Honolulu, Oahu, HI, US | Apr 29, 2017 |
| Dubuque Area Baconfest - Best Main Dish | Dubuque, IA, US | Oct 6, 2016 |
| Dubuque Area Baconfest - Overall Winner | Dubuque, IA, US | Oct 6, 2016 |
| Cedar Valley Baconfest | Cedar Falls, IA, US | Mar 25, 2017 |
| Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival | Des Moines, IA, US | Feb 18, 2017 |
| Applewood Smoke | IA, US | Aug 12, 2017 |
| QC Tailgate Cookoff - Sunrise Grilling Cookoff | Bettendorf, IA, US | Aug 19, 2017 |
| Chicago's Best Wingfest | Chicago, IL, US | Mar 5, 2017 |
| Port Byron Street Fest | Port Byron, IL, US | Jul 15, 2017 |
| Smithfield Hog Wild Throwdown | Kansas City, KS, US | Oct 29, 2016 |
| Taste of Blanchard Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Shreveport, LA, US | Jan 13, 2017 |
| Boston Magazine - Best of Boston - Best Fried Chicken | Boston, MA, US | Jul 18, 2017 |
| Bacon Bash - People's Choice | Royal Oak, MI, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| Minnesota State Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Albert Lea, MN, US | Aug 25, 2017 |
| Big Island BBQ (Steak competition) | Albert Lea, MN, US | Aug 25, 2017 |
| Bacon & Bourbon Festival | Kansas City, MO, US | Apr 13, 2017 |
| Baconfest Washington (People's Choice) | Washington, MO, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Taste of KC | Kansas City, MO, US | May 18, 2017 |
| Grilling by the Lake Steak Cookoff - Day 1 (Chicken Wing competition) | Climax Springs, MO, US | Aug 5, 2017 |
| Grilling by the Lake Steak Cookoff - Day 2 (Chicken Wing competition) | Climax Springs, MO, US | Aug 6, 2017 |
| Main Street BBQ & Bluesfest (Bacon competition) | Washington, MO, US | Apr 21, 2017 |
| Tupelo BBQ Duel (Sausage competition) - Kyle Underwood | Tupelo, MS, US | Mar 17, 2017 |
| Tupelo BBQ Duel (Sausage competition) - Sarah Henricks | Tupelo, MS, US | Mar 17, 2017 |
| Beer and Bacon Festival | Cary, NC, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| Bikers Blues and BBQ Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Salsbury, NC, US | Sep 16, 2017 |
| Food Network Challenge: $100,000 Chicken Challenge (Episode: CC0201H) | Charlotte, NC, US | |
| Bernie's Wines & Liquors Bacon & Beer Festival | Fargo, ND, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
| Omaha Beer and Bacon Festival | Omaha, NE, US | Jul 29, 2017 |
| GOBS Grilling Championship Series 2 (Appetizer competition) | Omaha, NE, US | |
| Munch Madness Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Rahway, NJ, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
| 2013 Bacon World Champion - Ricardo Heredia | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
| 2014 World Food Champion - Ricardo Heredia | Las Vegas, NV, US | |
| Brooklyn Bacon Takedown | Brooklyn, NY, US | Oct 23, 2016 |
| Charcuterie Masters - (Other/Bacon category) | Queens, NY, US | Feb 25, 2017 |
| New York Magazine's - Bacon | New York, NY, US | |
| Cincinnati CityBeat - Best Chicken | Cincinnati, OH, US | Feb 1, 2017 |
| Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - Individual Division) | Mansfield, OH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - People's Choice) | Mansfield, OH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Chili and Wing Cook Off (Wing Cook Off - Restaurant Division) | Mansfield, OH, US | Jun 10, 2017 |
| Tripp Haggard Memorial Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Broken Arrow, OK, US | Jul 15, 2017 |
| Mills Fleet Farm and Roundy's BBQ Chicken Recipe Contest (USA Today - Wisconsin) | ONLINE, US | May 20, 2016 |
| Sandra's Chicken Recipe Contest | ONLINE, US | Nov 15, 2016 |
| Wine Pairings Instagram Contest | ONLINE, US | Jan 31, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 1st Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Big Game Challenge | ONLINE, US | Jan 24, 2017 |
| Saucy Mama's 2017 Recipe Contest | ONLINE, US | Apr 26, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 2nd Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 3rd Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Taste of Home Modern Comfort Food Recipe Contest (#187) | ONLINE, US | Jul 10, 2017 |
| "Get Wild With Wild Rice" Recipe Contest | ONLINE, US | May 8, 2017 |
| Royalty Pecans Recipe Contest - Special Ingredient Challenge | ONLINE, US | |
| Baconfest - Dell'Osso Family Farm - Amateur Cook-off | ONLINE, US | Aug 1, 2017 |
| Baconfest - Dell'Osso Family Farm - Professional Chef Cook-off | ONLINE, US | Aug 1, 2017 |
| Egg-Cellent Baking Contest | ONLINE, US | May 31, 2017 |
| Keystone – Beef Up Family Time Recipe Contest (using Keystone All Natural Chicken) | ONLINE, US | May 31, 2017 |
| Taste of Home Chicken & Chops Recipe Contest (#186) | ONLINE, US | May 25, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 4th Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| #Taste of America - 5th Place | ONLINE, US | Jul 21, 2017 |
| TOA - Michigan Apples | ONLINE, US | Jul 24, 2017 |
| TOA - Fiesta Seasonings | ONLINE, US | Jul 24, 2017 |
| Aporkalypse Now! | Hood River, OR, US | Feb 10, 2017 |
| Ernie's Best Wings Chicken Wing Cook-Off | Erie, PA, US | Jan 28, 2017 |
| Bacon & Barrel | Nashville, TN, US | Sep 29, 2017 |
| Hot Chicken Week | Nashville, TN, US | Jan 23, 2017 |
| BKW: Big Kahuna Wing Festival - Big Kahuna Champion and Tennessee State Champion | Knoxville, TN, US | Jun 17, 2017 |
| BKW: Big Kahuna Wing Festival - Exotic Flavor Champion | Knoxville, TN, US | Jun 17, 2017 |
| International Biscuit Festival | Knoxville, TN, US | May 20, 2017 |
| Wild Card Elite Division | TN, US | Apr 5, 2017 |
| Cookeville Mealfit Cupcake Contest | Cookeville, TN, US | May 1, 2017 |
| Seven Senses FCJC | Cookeville, TN, US | Sep 24, 2017 |
| The F Word on FOX - Episode 5 - Casey Jones | TV, US | |
| Bacon Bash Texas | Cranfills Gap, TX, US | Oct 15, 2016 |
| Austin Bacon and Beer Festival | Austin, TX, US | Jan 28, 2017 |
| The Summer Feast - Best of Show Bacon Chef | Sun Prairie, TX, US | Jun 24, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #1 (Chicken Wing competition) | Bastrop, TX, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
| Live Oak County Fair Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Georgewest, TX, US | Mar 4, 2017 |
| NBBQA Classic Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Fort Worth, TX, US | Apr 1, 2017 |
| John Henry's Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Houston, TX, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #2 (Chicken Wing competition) | Neiderwald, TX, US | Apr 15, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #3 (Chicken Wing competition) | Pflugerville, TX, US | May 13, 2017 |
| Premier Gilling Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Little Elm, TX, US | May 20, 2017 |
| Proud of Texas POD Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Waco, TX, US | Jun 24, 2017 |
| Five Alarm Showdown #4 (Chicken Wing competition) | Georgetown, TX, US | Jul 8, 2017 |
| Out West Bar & Grill Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | West, TX, US | Aug 19, 2017 |
| Bedford Blues and BBQ Festival Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Bedford, TX, US | Sep 2, 2017 |
| Azle Sting Fling Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Azle, TX, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| The Sky's the Limit Balloon Spectacular (Chicken Wing competition) | Gainesville, TX, US | Sep 9, 2017 |
| Smokin Possum Hollow Steak Cookoff (Chicken Wing competition) | Graham, TX, US | Sep 16, 2017 |
| Live Oak County Fair Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | George West, TX, US | Mar 4, 2016 |
| Azle Spring Fling Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Azle, TX, US | |
| Pantegofest Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Arlington, TX, US | |
| Houston Steak Championship (Chicken Wing competition) | Houston, TX, US | |
| Winter Wonderland Steak (Appetizer competition) | Graham, TX, US | |
| LOC Rodeo Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | George West, TX, US | |
| John Henry's Steak Cookoff (1-Bite Challenge) | Houston, TX, US | Apr 8, 2017 |
| SCA: RAHR-B-Que Steak Cook-Off (Appetizer competition) | Fort Worth, TX, US | May 7, 2017 |
| Whitney Wildcat Athletic Booster Steak Cookoff (Appetizer competition) | Lake Whitney, TX, US | |
| City Weekly's Best of Utah - Best Chicken Sandwich | Salt Lake City, UT, US | Nov 17, 2016 |
| BaconFest VA | Roanoke, VA, US | Jul 15, 2017 |
| Baconfest MKE | Milwaukee, WI, US | Feb 19, 2017 |
| Milwaukee Wingfest (Judge's Choice) | Milwaukee, WI, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Milwaukee Wingfest (Most Unique) | Milwaukee, WI, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Milwaukee Wingfest (People's Choice) | Milwaukee, WI, US | Oct 2, 2016 |
| Bacon Bash | River Falls, WI, US | Sep 16, 2017 |
| Event | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Food Championships - Bacon - 1st and 2nd Place | Edmonton, AB, CA | Jul 21, 2017 |
| Taste of the World - France | FR | Jun 1, 2017 |
| Taste of the World - Haiti | HT | Jun 1, 2017 |
| Taste of the World - Philippines | HT | Jun 1, 2017 |
| The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Recipe competition) - Amateur division | ONLINE, NG | Jul 1, 2017 |
| The Most Wanted African Food Quest - (Recipe competition) - Professional division | ONLINE, NG | Jul 1, 2017 |
| Special Invitation - Philippine Council of Hospitality Management Students | Manila, PH | |
| Q-Fest (Bacon competition) - United Kingdom | Devon, GB | Apr 28, 2017 |