Welcome to the Jr. Chef Championship Competition

We are proud to introduce the Inaugural Jr. World Food Championship Competition, an event dedicated to recognizing and encouraging the culinary talents of the next generation. This prestigious competition provides young chefs with the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity, skill, and passion for the culinary arts on a highly respected platform.

Participation in the Jr. World Food Championship is not only an opportunity to compete, but also a chance to learn, grow, and connect with industry professionals and fellow aspiring chefs. Applicants are expected to exhibit dedication, professionalism, and a genuine enthusiasm for the art of cooking.

Please complete this application in full to be considered for entry. We look forward to reviewing your submission and wish you the very best as you take the first step toward this exciting culinary journey.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 17 at the time of the competition.
All applicants must submit a completed application form by February 1, 2026.
Parental or guardian consent is required for participants under the age of 18.
Contestants must be able to attend the competition in person at Centennial Plaza on March 14, 2026. A commitment to follow all competition rules, guidelines, and safety standards is required.

Competition Overview

The Jr. World Food Championship Competition is designed to showcase the creativity, skill, and passion of young culinary talents. Contestants will compete in a series of culinary challenges that highlight technique, presentation, and flavor.

Competition Format: Participants will be assigned specific categories or dishes to prepare within a designated time frame.

Judging Criteria: Entries will be evaluated by a panel of culinary professionals based on taste, creativity, presentation, and adherence to guidelines.

Advancement: Scores will determine progression through the competition, with top performers advancing to final rounds.

Awards & Recognition: Winners will receive recognition, prizes, and the opportunity to represent the Jr. World Food Championship as ambassadors for youth culinary excellence.

The competition emphasizes not only performance under pressure, but also learning, teamwork, and respect for the culinary craft.

WORLD FOOD CHAMPIONSHIPS JUNIOR PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

Thank you for allowing your child to participate in the Qualifying Event for the World Food Championships Junior (the "WFC JR"). This Agreement shall constitute an agreement between YOU and WORLD FOOD CHAMPIONSHIPS HOLDINGS, LLC, & MISSISSIPPI Heroes its members, managers, employees, agents, vendors, and each of their respective affiliates and assignees (collectively the "Event Organizer") and shall govern your child's participation in the Event (as defined below). By signing this Agreement, you agree to be legally bound by all of the terms, conditions, and notices contained or referenced herein.

EVENT DETAILS The WFC JR Qualifying Event that will be held on March 14, 2026, in Gulfport, MS (hereinafter singularly or collectively referred to as the "Event"). The Event shall include cooking competitions in predetermined categories of competition (hereinafter, "Categories"). It is understood that the Event may film, document, record, or transcribe the Event and may develop, author, or produce content based on the Event (hereinafter, "Event Content").

PARTICIPATION TERMS You have agreed to allow your child to participate in the Event. You agree to be bound by the terms, conditions, and rules of participation as detailed in this Agreement. The Event assumes no responsibility for accidents, illnesses, disabilities, monetary losses, or any other losses incurred by You or your child during the Event, or during travel to or from the Event. Your child's participation is conditioned on your adherence to these terms, conditions, and rules. The Event may revoke your child's right to participate in the Event at any time.

MEDIA CONSENT By registering your child to participate in the Event, you hereby consent, on behalf of your child, to the non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual use of your child's name, likeness, presence, presentation, recipe, and performance in connection with the Event or the Event Content, in any and all forms of media, whether now existing or hereafter created, and whether related to a promotional or marketing effort or a for-profit endeavor undertaken by the Event or the Event Organizer. Such usage shall only be in direct connection with the Event or in connection with the publication, distribution, or other exploitation of the Event Content.

RECORDING RIGHTS You hereby grant the Event the right to record your child's name, likeness, image, voice, sound effects, interview, and performance on tape, or otherwise (the "Recording"), and edit such Recording as the Event or any third-party licensee of the Event may desire. You hereby grant the Event the permission and right to use or authorize the use of the Recording or any portions thereof in all markets, manner, formats, and media, whether now existing or hereafter created, throughout the world, in perpetuity. If the Event is required to provide any further release or permission from You for the use of the Recording, You agree to provide such release within two (2) weeks of receipt of a request for permission.

INDEMNIFICATION You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Event and the Event Organizer from and against all losses, expenses, damages, and costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, resulting from any violation of this Agreement, or the failure to fulfill any obligations relating to participation in the Event.

LEGAL TERMS This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana. Should any provision of this Agreement be void or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be deemed omitted and this Agreement with such provision omitted shall remain in full force and effect. This represents the complete agreement between us. The Event reserves the right to modify this Agreement at any time, in which case the Event will notify You by e-mail, if a valid e-mail address is provided and is still active at the time of notice, which will be deemed sufficient notice.

I confirm that I am the parent/ legal guardian of the above mentioned child. I consent to their participation in the 2025 World Food Championships Junior. I confirm that all details provided in this form are correct and I will inform the registration coordinator of any changes to this information.

I acknowledge that the World Food Championships is not responsible for providing adult supervision for the above mentioned child. I, thereby, acknowledge that I will remain in the kitchen for the duration of the competition.