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Final Table: Bentonville - - Meet Ryan Von Smith, World Rice Champion

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Posted Mar 10, 2025
Final Table: Bentonville - - Meet Ryan Von Smith, World Rice Champion

Name: Ryan Von Smith
2024 World Rice Champion

Hometown: Scranton, Pennsylvania
Currently Resides: Scranton, Pennsylvania

Social Media:
Instagram: @vonthechef and @chefvonmom

Designation: Professional Chef

Q: Tell us about your culinary journey. Who or what inspired you to cook?
A: I grew up in the kitchen with my grandfather and entire family always cooking. I was a fat kid who loved to eat... so I learned how to cook young!😁

Q: How long have you been cooking?
A: Since 9 or 10 years old as a home cook, 20 years professionally

Q: How many times have you competed at WFC?
A: First time

Q: What categories have you competed in at WFC?
A: Rice

Q: What motivated you to get into Food Sport?
A: Caught the competition bug my first world cooking competition in Macau when I placed third in the world, and that made me hungry and determined to get to the number 1 spot!! Along with competing on Gordon Ramsay's Next Level Chef, it fueled my passion more for Food Sport. I was scrolling Instagram and stumbled upon the WFC page and I said, “I HAVE to do this!”

Q: How would you describe your experience in Indianapolis at WFC 2024 and being named a Champion?
A: It was awesome! I wanted to compete in ALL the categories. LOL. It was awesome to be around people that love food as much as I do. Met a lot of great people. My grandfather was one of my biggest inspirations for cooking early on, he passed away a few days before (the event in) Indy at 97 years old. He was a chef in WWII and taught me A LOT. And I scored 97 on my judging in the 1st round and that was awesome, it felt like he was there with me. Even though I missed my medal (ceremony) and stage time cause I was at the whiskey booth (LOL), and a stranger told me I won 1st place!!!

Q: What is your favorite WFC memory/experience as a competitor?
A: When a lady came up to me while cooking and (she) was tearing up; she had just lost her 19-year-old son that was going to be a chef and they watched me on TV. I dedicated my win to him! Awesome moment, to cheer her up and see her smile for a bit was an amazing feeling! I gave her a lobster tail when nobody was looking... I HAD TO!! THAT was my top moment, bonding with Sammy.

Q: What would a Final Table victory mean to you? Any ideas on how you would spend/invest your winnings?
A: It would be EVERYTHING!!! Confirmation that all my hard work over the years has paid off! I would take my mom on a vacation anywhere she wants. And use the rest to get my line of sauces and spices in production to be sold in grocery stores around the U.S.

Q: Any advice for folks considering entering the WFC Kitchen Arena in the future?
A: Don't over time it. Do you and make good food!!

Q: Tell us an interesting fact that few people know about you:
A: I love watching Golden Girls on my down time!


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