Details

Six chefs will compete in this live mystery box competition at the Broward County Convention Center in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida, emceed by Chef Robin Selden, Marcia Selden Catering & Events.

Each chef will have the same staple ingredients at their station as well as a limited pantry to pull from. The Mystery Box will have ingredients that chefs must use in some capacity. Chefs will have about 30+ minutes to prepare a total of four tasting plates featuring the mystery box ingredients and a revealed concept they must embrace.

A variety of boards, small plates, and other vessels will be set out. Once the “start bell” has been sounded chefs will be able to open their mystery boxes, grab their plating pieces, access additional ingredients from the pantry, refrigerators, or shelves and begin work. Note that the emcee and judges will be talking with you—asking what your concepts are + other random thoughts.

Tastes will be judged on presentation, creativity, taste, and originality for a total of 100 points. The winning chef will be awarded a $1500 Amazon gift card, a trophy, and will be featured—along with their competitors—in Catersource Marketing for the upcoming year. A second place award will receive a $500 Amazon gift card.

Ready to apply?

DICED Mystery Box Competition 2025

Wednesday, February 26 • 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Competitors arrive: 10:30 a.m. for check-in and to select your station, set out your knives & acclimate

Judges arrive: 10:45 a.m. to take places at the table

Broward County Convention Center, Catersource Culinary Main Stage on Tradeshow Floor