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 Competition Manual (3.19 MB)
• Student Competition Manual (4.5 MB) - Updated 10/16/2019


• 2020 Student Teams Competition and Judging Standards (2.9 MB)
• 2019-2020 Student Competition Program (1.6 MB) - Updated 10/16/2019

ACF Approved Culinary Competition Judges

No current member of the Culinary Competition Committee can judge a team from their school or an employee from their workplace in any competition during their time as chair or a Committee Member. Acting in a support capacity (i.e. coach, mentor, etc.) is also considered a direct conflict of interest.
- Retroactive policy from May 10, 2018

Add Credibility to Your Competition

Register your competition with ACF.

Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl

Teams of student culinarian members compete in a double elimination, jeopardy-style competition for the chance to become national champions. More

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

2020 Culinary Challenge Rules

The NACUFS Culinary Challenge is sanctioned by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), and is classified as a Category W - Customized Wildcard Category.

Individual competitors will have 60 minutes, with ten additional minutes for plating, to prepare four portions of an original hot entrée featuring the mandatory proteins of Cornish hen and black beluga lentils with side dishes and sauces to create a nutritionally balanced plate. (See product specifications at the end of the rules for further details.)
NACUFS Rules and Regulations

COVID-19 Safety Standards for Hosting Competitions

The ACF Culinary Competition committee is excited for in person competitions to commence. The committee has issued minimum COVID-19 Safety Standards to be followed when hosting competitions. Standards available here.

Connect with us on social media:

Share your love of competing with others on our Facebook group!