Indiana’s Collin Hilton Claims Victory at 2024 World Food Championships

The 2024 World Food Championships (WFC) have crowned their category champions, including Collin Hilton, CDC at Cunningham Restaurant Group, who won the coveted World Noodle Championship title. Hilton will represent Team Indiana in the Final Table showdown in Bentonville, Arkansas, competing alongside 11 other champions for the grand prize of $150,000.

Held from Nov. 8-12 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, this year’s WFC brought together culinary talents from 35 states and nearly 30 countries. The event featured live demos, tastings, and competitions across 12 categories, supported by sponsors like Sam’s Club and Maple Leaf Farms. The winners span categories from bacon to vegetarian, with each champion now preparing to face off at the Final Table.

Mike Eaton, WFC’s CEO, praised Indianapolis and the Indiana State Fairgrounds for hosting this year’s championship, emphasizing the teamwork and hospitality that brought the event to life. (We are hoping to see Indianapolis become the permanent home of the WFC.)

 Final Table Contestants:

• World Bacon Championship: Jack MacMurray from Ballwin, MO.
• World Barbecue Championship: Shawn Williams, RibLife from Butler, AL..
• World Burger Championship: Hassan Naja, One More from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• World Chef Championship: Jevon Brewer, Umoja Food Group from St. Louis, MO.
• World Dessert Championship: Emily Bench, Piggin’ Whiskey from Hot Springs Village, AR.
• World Live Fire Championship: Michelle O’Guinn, Ain’t it the Life from Lakeland, TN.
• World Rice Championship: Ryan von Smith, Chef von & Mom from Scranton, Pa.
• World Sandwich Championship: Phil Johnson, Phil the Grill from Phoenix, AZ.
• World Seafood Championship: Zachary Hassilev from Fort Belvoir, VA..
• World Soup Championship: Tina Crutchfield, Soup A Stars from Aransas Pass, TX.
• World Vegetarian Championship: Ricardo Viesca Gutierrez, Sheraton Dallas from Dallas, TX.

Other Local Indiana Winners: 

• Chef Alan Sternberg of Bluebeard, took second place in the Noodle Category.  

• Chef Craig Baker, Indiana restaurant consultant, took second place in the Sandwich Category. 

• Chef JJ Boston of Chef JJ’s took third place in the Sandwich Category. 

• Chef Jen Norem, personal chef,  finished in the Top 7 in the Sandwich Category. 

• Marcus Daniel, the executive chef at Joseph Decuis, in Roanoke, IN,  placed in the Top 7 for the Vegetarian Category.

• Great White Smoke in Bloomington, placed in the Top 7 for the BBQ Category.

• Travis Hitch of Kan Kan Restaurant took third in the Chef Category.

• Marlin Wensel of Apricot Sun Food Bar and also  The Little India Restaurant both placed in the Top 7 in The Rice Category.
• Cindy Hawkins of Circle City Sweets  placed in the Top 7 for Desserts Category.

As WFC continues to elevate food sport worldwide, these finalists set their sights on claiming the ultimate culinary title. To follow the journey to the Final Table and see more about the champions, visit World Food Championships.