Indiana chefs win titles at World Food Championships

INDIANAPOLIS — Two Hoosier chefs were honored with titles at the 2025 World Food Championships, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis.

Cindy Hawkins from Team Indiana/Circle City Sweets won the dessert category. Daniel McDonald from Team Indiana won the bacon category.

The World Food Championships had competitors from more than 35 states and 14 countries competing for titles across 10 different categories.

Indiana-grown high oleic soybean oil was the official cooking oil of the event.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance and USA Poultry and Egg Export Council partnered to bring a team of chefs from Vietnam to Indiana to do cooking demonstrations with Indiana duck, turkey, chicken and high oleic soybean oil.

The dishes featured duck from Maple Leaf Farms, an Indiana-based farm.

“Indiana’s soybean farmers are very proud to have 100% high oleic soybean oil on center stage during the World Food Championships,” said ISA Chair Denise Scarborough, a farmer from LaCrosse in northwest Indiana.

“In many venues around Indiana, high oleic soybean oil has showcased its clean taste, longer fryer durability and health benefits.”

“Each year the World Food Championships raises the bar for culinary excellence — and 2025 was no exception,” said Mike McCloud, CEO and founder of the World Food Championships.

“From fiery competitions to unforgettable flavors, this year’s champions truly showcased what food sport is all about. We’re incredibly proud of their achievements and can’t wait to see who rises to the top at the final table this spring.”