2027 American Culinary Classic

Returning to the 2027 National Convention, the American Culinary Federation will be holding the American Culinary Classic! Open to international competitors, the American Culinary Classic will consist of a four-person team Grand Buffet, individual cold category competitions, and an individual live Centerpiece Showcase.

The following categories may be entered into by individual competitors; the Grand Buffet will be a W Category and will include all these categories:

  • Category A
    • Cold platter of competitors’ choice of protein, 8 portions
    • Four varieties of finger foods, 6 portions each
  • Categories B1 & B3
    • Six varieties of appetizers, 3 cold and 3 hot, presented cold
    • One ovo-lacto four-course menu for one, including dessert
  • Categories C1 & C2
    • Four varieties of fancy cookies, chocolates, petits fours, or friandises, 6 portions each
    • Four individual desserts, one chocolate-focused, one fruit-focused, and two of the competitors’ choice, presented cold
  • Category D
    • Showpieces in one of the following mediums, competitors’ choice:
      • Vegetable/Fruit
      • Tallow and Saltillage
      • Bread Dough
      • Chocolate, Cooked Sugar, Pastillage, and Marzipan

The Centerpiece Showcase will be an E Category and will include the following:

  • Fruit/Vegetable Carving Mystery Basket
    • Theme to be announced in advance by the show chair
    • Three hours to create and display
  • Cake Decorating
    • Theme to be announced in advance by the show chair
    • Three hours to create and display
  • Decorative Centerpiece
    • Must be made of chocolate, marzipan, pastillage, or gumpaste
    • Three hours to create and display
  • Sugar Centerpiece
    • Four hours to create and display

The cost to compete will be $250 per team, $100 per individual professional competitor, and $50 per individual student competitor. Teams must identify a captain.

Awards for the American Culinary Classic will be presented at the Presidential Gala at the 2027 National Convention. Competitors who are not present at the gala will have their placement nullified. Registration for the National Convention will be discounted for competitors, at a rate of $199 for the gala only or $650 for full registration (includes gala).

More information to come, so stay tuned!