Competitions

Competitions play a vital role in culinary arts as they continually raise the standards of culinary excellence. There is no better way for a culinarian to hone their craft than by putting their skills and knowledge to the test in a competitive format.

Participation in ACF approved competitions will also earn you continuing education hours for ACF certification.

ACF Competition Calendar

View upcoming competitions.

ACF Competition Manuals

• Professional Culinary Competition Manual
• Student Culinary Competition Manual (updated January 2025)
• Ice Carving Competition Manual
• Show Chair Manual
• Culinary Judge Handbook

Add Credibility to Your Competition

Register your competition with ACF.

Student Team

Each year, four student teams prove themselves worthy of a greater challenge—the ACF Student Team Championship.

ACF Culinary Team USA

ACF Culinary Team USA exemplifies professionalism and creativity in major international culinary competitions. More

Hot Kitchen & Culinary Arts Competition Seminar

American Culinary Federation is hosting a competition Seminar in Las Vegas, United States on July 27, 2025.

Competition Seminar instructors share techniques from both the perspective of Worldchefs Certified Judges and award-winning competitors. Participants gain an understanding of not only judging criteria but also best practices in the competition kitchen and tactics that consistently reach the highest place at the podium.

Current judges: All Worldchefs Certified Judges are required to attend a Competition Seminar every five years.

Register Online