Beck’s Hybrids named presenting sponsor of World Food Championships

The World Food Championships (WFC) has announced that Beck’s Hybrids and SOYLEIC™ will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the WFC2026 Awards Show, taking place at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center’s Fall Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis.

The WFC Awards Show will provide the culminating celebration of WFC2026, where the 10 World Category Champions will be crowned following four days of championship competition. The evening will also recognize competitors, performances, and achievements from throughout the event, celebrating the culinary talent, dedication, and ‘Food Sport’ spirit that define the WFC.

The partnership brings SOYLEIC to the WFC following Beck’s recent acquisition of the exclusive licensing rights to the SOYLEIC soybean patents from the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. Developed through decades of farmer-funded research at the University of Missouri and USDA Agricultural Research Service, SOYLEIC soybeans are a high-oleic, low-linolenic variety designed to produce soybean oil with improved stability and high-heat performance without hydrogenation. The technology also provides a domestically sourced alternative to imported oils while creating new market opportunities for farmers.

As the largest family-owned seed company in the United States, Beck’s brings a long history of farmer-driven innovation and investment in agricultural research to the partnership. The addition of SOYLEIC expands that work into an area with a direct connection to food, bringing the story of soybean production and innovation closer to the chefs, competitors, and consumers who ultimately experience food at the table.

“Food Sport begins long before a chef steps into the kitchen,” said Mike McCloud, Founder and CEO of the World Food Championships. “It starts with farmers, ingredients and the innovation that makes better food possible. SOYLEIC is a great example of that connection. Beck’s is helping take a technology developed through years of farmer-funded research and bring it to new markets, and we’re excited to have that story represented as part of the WFC Awards Show.”

The partnership creates an opportunity for Beck’s and SOYLEIC to introduce WFC competitors, culinary professionals, and fans to the role that agricultural innovation can play in the food system. SOYLEIC’s high-oleic soybean technology is designed to deliver oil with improved stability and performance under high heat, characteristics that have potential applications across foodservice and culinary operations.

“SOYLEIC represents the kind of farmer-driven innovation that can create value well beyond the field,” Beck’s President Scott Beck said. “We’re proud to bring SOYLEIC to the World Food Championships and to be part of an event that celebrates the people, products and ideas that come together to create great food. The WFC Awards Show gives us a unique opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of these talented competitors while sharing the story of how innovation in agriculture can connect farmers to new opportunities throughout the food system.”

The 2026 World Food Championships will bring together more than 1,200 competitors representing all regions of the United States and from around the world, competing across 10 categories for more than $400,000 in prize money. Indianapolis will crown the World Category Champions, who advance to the Final Table to compete for the title of World Food Champion.

Competitors, partners, and fans can stay up to date on the 2026 World Food Championships at worldfoodchampionships.com.