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
SPARK
HEAD COOK: Mark Emery
COMPETITION: Bacon World Championship
As Senior Manager of Product Development Chef Mark has been given the opportunity to use his passion for food and create great private brand deli items for Walmart customers. Mark was chosen to captain Walmart’s Private Brand Culinary Team of Jackie Nartowicz (Bakery), Peter Kuhr (Produce) and Stephen O’Brien (Grocery) in the 2019 World Food Championships. Education in the culinary arts from Grand Rapids Community College and a food marketing degree from Western Michigan University led Mark to professional roles as executive/corporate chef, product development and sales management of retail, foodservice and commercial equipment businesses. Mark grew up living aboard a sailboat cruising the Bahamas prior to attending high school and college in West Michigan and now lives in Northwest Arkansas with his wife Katie and their three children Max, Naomi and Zeke.