Indiana Pork sponsors World Food Championships to showcase pork and support culinary excellence amongst youth competitors

Indiana Pork was a proud sponsor of the 2024 World Food Championships, which took place this month in Indianapolis, Indiana. Through its sponsorship, Indiana Pork aimed to promote proper cooking temperatures of pork, educate youth competitors about pork, and engage with some of the best-known Indiana chefs in the restaurant and catering industry. 

The World Food Championships is an annual culinary event that attracts thousands of competitors and food lovers from around the globe. This sponsorship offered Indiana Pork a unique opportunity to showcase pork as a versatile, delicious, and nutritious protein that enhances any meal, whether prepared in home kitchens or by expert chefs on a competitive stage. 

As the sponsor of the Junior Chef competition, each team was provided a pork tenderloin from Indiana Pork and had 90 minutes to prepare a dish using pork tenderloin that captured the essence of "healthy fresh." Contestants were allowed to use other ingredients that they chose but had to supply those ingredients themselves. 

Contestants spanned the ages of 9-17 and traveled from all across the country to compete. Indiana teams were well represented during the awards ceremony. Carmel High School senior Julia Hohne and sous chef junior Maddie Arroyo finished first, receiving $1,500 for their pork gorditas. Brownsburg junior Claire Siglar and sous chef Mooresville junior Elizabeth Starr took third place and received $400. 

Matt Paschen, Cass County pig farmer and chair of the Indiana Pork promotions committee, shared the organization’s excitement about participating in the event. “We’re thrilled to support an event like the World Food Championships, which aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate the profile of pork in the culinary world. By connecting directly with chefs, influencers, junior chefs, and consumers, we were able to highlight how pork provides flavor, nutrition, and creativity in cooking.”

The World Food Championships is recognized for its high-energy atmosphere and for the first time, was held in Indiana at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Indiana Pork’s sponsorship included multiple cooking demonstrations by local chefs, featuring pork loin recipes that were easy to make for an at-home chef. 

By sponsoring the World Food Championships, Indiana Pork continues its efforts to promote the exceptional taste and value of pork to a broader audience while supporting chefs who create amazing dishes for their restaurant attendees. 

For more information about Indiana Pork, please visit www.indianapork.org.