We're excited to see the field of competitors who have already won their golden ticket and registered to compete at the 2024 World Food Championships. And we are always proud to announce our special guests and celebrity judges participating in our judging events across the nation - we're sure the championship food certainly helps! Best of luck to our 2024 competitors!
COMPETITOR
Terry Van Lehn
COMPETITION: World Open Chili Championship
QUALIFYING EVENT: All Ohio Regional (red)
I have been cooking all my life for my family and friends. I was introduced into competition cooking particularly chili 13 years ago. The first time I ever cooked I cooked a Verde and took home 1st place and I was hooked ever since. I am very competitive and love competition cooking. I have been lucky enough to appear on the Food Network Twice. I competed with chili and also a Super Seafood Grill Off where I had to prepare three courses of seafood on a Weber Grill. I was also lucky enough to be on TLC The Chili Bowl and a WV Wild Gaming competition where I cooked Kangaroo and took 3rd place. Competing allows me to not only do what I love which is cooking it also has allowed me to travel and meet great new people and experiences over the past 13 years and I am hoping I can keep cooking, winning, traveling and meeting new people while following my passion on competition cooking.