The Favorite Chef Competition is back and bigger than ever. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for culinary experts, professional chefs and home cooks to show off their skills and support the James Beard Foundation (JBF). Now powered by Colossal, the competition has been elevated like never before.
The 2023 Favorite Chef will receive $25,000, a 2-page advertorial in Taste of Home magazine, and a one-on-one cooking experience with Chef Carla Hall in New York City. Here’s what makes the prize package so special:
- $25,000—this one is self-explanatory. The pastabilities are endless with the cash prize, whether the winner wants to put it toward culinary education or open a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
- Taste of Home is America’s #1 cooking magazine—what better place for a passionate chef to share their story? The publication showcases delectable recipes and the latest news in the culinary world.
- The incredible cooking experience with Carla Hall will be held at Platform by JBF, a brand-new modern kitchen and educational space in the Big Apple.
The spirited chef Carla Hall, a Food Network fan favorite (we can’t get enough of her costumes on the annual Halloween Baking Championship), is offering insight and wisdom to competitors as the competition host. To add value, Colossal has introduced exclusive workshops featuring industry pros, including:
- The Art of Plating and Presentation with Carla Hall
- Leadership In and Out of the Kitchen with Kris Moon, President and COO of the James Beard Foundation
- The Secret Sauce to Catering Events with Chef Terry Matthews (aka BBQ Daddy)
- Cooking Up Engaging Social Content with Social Media Influencer Melissa Anaya (@eatdrinkaz)
It’s not just the prizes and workshops that make this competition extraordinary; the Favorite Chef Competition is operated by Colossal as a fundraiser on behalf of DTCare, a nationally registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Funds raised during the Favorite Chef Competition go to DTCare, who will subsequently issue a grant to the James Beard Foundation after the conclusion of the competition.
“We are absolutely delighted to see how the Colossal competitions bring so many people together around food, and we are deeply grateful that this initiative will benefit the Foundation’s efforts to champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of JBF.
Colossal takes pride in their strong relationship with the James Beard Foundation — which has been a celebrated charity in the culinary world for over 30 years. JBF strives to achieve their mission of preserving America’s culinary heritage and promoting sustainability and diversity in the food industry through annual awards, industry and community-focused initiatives and programs, advocacy, partnerships and national events.
The Favorite Chef Competition is poised to be the biggest online culinary event in years, and it’s giving chefs a chance to turn their passion into a career.
“I received so much press attention, have been featured in newspapers, and have been interviewed on popular podcasts,” said 2021 Favorite Chef Sémone Hopkins after her win.
The stakes are high this year with $25K, a 2-page advertorial in Taste of Home, and an NYC cooking experience with Chef Carla Hall on the line. Who will be the next Favorite Chef to win it all? Only thyme will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Colossal?
Colossal is the global leader in online competitions and one of the most effective fundraising solutions available for charities that lack the bandwidth to operate large-scale campaigns. While offering extraordinary opportunities to men and women around the world, each competition operated by Colossal is designed to raise money for a unique and important cause. To learn more, visit colossal.org.
Does Taste of Home magazine run the Favorite Chef Competition?
No. Colossal Management, LLC, a nationally registered professional fundraiser, operates Favorite Chef on behalf of charitable grantmaker, DTCare. If you have questions about the competition, please learn more here or email the competition support team directly at [email protected].
How is the winner selected?
The winner of the Favorite Chef Competition is determined through public voting. Carla Hall will also select one competitor’s plated presentation submission as “Carla’s Pick.” If you have questions about the competition, please learn more here or email the competition support team directly at [email protected].
Where does the competition money go?
The grant to James Beard Foundation will come from “Champion Votes” cast through the competition. 100% of donations go directly to DTCare, which will subsequently grant the donation (minus competition fees/costs), to James Beard Foundation at the end of the competition. Learn more here.
