Fighting food insecurity with decadent cooking competition

The World Food Championships (WFC) recently selected Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana as its Official Charity Partner for an upcoming event aiming to combat food insecurity in Hoosier communities.

The World Food Championships will take place Nov. 9 to 12 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Ten percent of ticket revenue from premium experiences, including the VIP Experience and Taste of WFC activities, will be donated to Gleaners. These funds will aid Gleaners Food Bank in providing food assistance to those in need while highlighting WFC’s commitment to supporting local communities.

“Joining the Indianapolis market is a significant milestone for us, and we deeply appreciate the warm Hoosier hospitality we’ve received,” WFC CEO Michael Eaton said. “It’s an honor to play a role in supporting the community through Gleaners, and we look forward to making a meaningful impact together.”

During the largest food sport competition, more than 300 competitive cooking teams from around the globe will battle it out in 12 categories for the coveted title of World Food Champion and share of the $450,000 prize purse. Spectators can expect various activities and experiences to satisfy food enthusiasts of all ages. Attendees will be able to taste samples from more than 30 vendors, watch live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and participate in interactive food-related games such as “Cake or Fake.”

Tickets for the 2024 World Food Championships start at $15 and are available online. Specialty tickets included as part of the donation are:

• Taste of World Food Championships: A Champion-inspired Experience: Hosted by celebrity chef Eric Greenspan, this experience features global dishes crafted by former WFC champions. It includes a passport for 12 category samples and five drink samples from award-winning mixologists. Available on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees can meet champions, watch culinary demos, and receive prizes, including a curated gift bag. Single-day tickets are $125, and two-day tickets are $225.
• The World Food Championships VIP Experience: This exclusive area offers a retreat from Kitchen Arena, featuring various food and drink samples, mixology demonstrations, meet and greets with celebrity chefs, and a commemorative 2024 WFC Indianapolis print. Available Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Monday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Single-day tickets are $175, two-day tickets are $325, and three-day tickets are $450.

“We warmly welcome the World Food Championships to Indianapolis and are delighted to support a shared vision of battling food insecurity,” Gleaners President & CEO Fred Glass said. “This partnership strengthens our community and brings us closer to ensuring everyone has access to nutritious food.”

Gates will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission before 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9 and free admission all day Tuesday, Nov. 12 for the finals and awards ceremony held from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tickets to the 2024 World Food Championships can be purchased online. For more information about the World Food Championships, visit WorldFoodChampionships.com.