Florida Department of Agriculture invites young culinary talents to compete for the title of Florida Future Chef Champion in statewide contest

Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has officially kicked off its statewide search for the next culinary rising star through its fifth annual Florida Future Chef competition. Aimed at encouraging youth to explore food, nutrition, and Florida’s diverse agricultural bounty, the 2025 competition is now open to entries from young aspiring chefs across the Sunshine State.

This vibrant contest is open to Florida students between the ages of 7 and 13. To enter, students must submit a two- to five-minute video in which they prepare a creative and nutritious school meal that features at least one ingredient grown or produced in Florida. Submissions will be accepted through July 11 at 11:59 p.m. ET, and interested participants can find full contest details and entry instructions at FloridaFutureChef.com.

The competition not only gives students the chance to showcase their culinary flair but also connects them to the broader mission of promoting healthy eating habits and Florida agriculture. The program is tied directly to the National School Lunch Program and aims to raise awareness of nutritional standards while fostering hands-on culinary experience.

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“Empowering Florida’s students with hands-on culinary experience is key to cultivating nutritious eating habits and a deeper appreciation for our state’s rich agricultural roots,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “Through the Florida Future Chef competition, we’re not only encouraging creativity in the kitchen, but also helping students understand the value of using fresh, Florida-grown ingredients.”

Each year, hundreds of videos are submitted by students from all corners of the state. These entries are carefully reviewed by the FDACS Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness, which then selects the top three finalists to compete in the final round. The selected students will be invited to a three-day finale event in Tampa, where they’ll be given the opportunity to sharpen their cooking techniques, learn about nutrition, and showcase their talent in front of a panel of judges.

During the finale, the student chefs will recreate their dishes, learn more about school meal nutrition standards, and receive feedback from culinary professionals. The judges will evaluate the dishes based on creativity, use of Florida ingredients, nutritional value, and presentation.

The competition offers high-stakes rewards that go beyond bragging rights. The grand prize winner will earn the title of 2025 Florida Future Chef Champion, receive up to $5,000 in a Florida 529 Savings Plan scholarship, and have their recipe adapted into a school meal that could be served in cafeterias across the state. Additional prizes and honors are also awarded to all three finalists.

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This year’s presenting sponsor is the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, which is helping provide financial support for the scholarship awards and prize packages. Their partnership highlights the shared mission of encouraging young people to build healthy lifestyles rooted in fresh, nutritious food.

In addition to supporting individual students, the competition reflects a broader strategy by FDACS to integrate agriculture, nutrition, and education. Through initiatives like the Florida Future Chef contest and other wellness programs, the department continues to build bridges between the food that students eat and the farms where it’s grown.

The Florida Future Chef contest is a unique opportunity for children to express their love of cooking while learning about food systems and health. It also shines a light on the talented young minds who may one day become chefs, nutritionists, or agricultural advocates.

Parents, teachers, and community members are encouraged to help spread the word and support young chefs in their journey. With entries already beginning to roll in, the excitement is building for what promises to be another flavorful and inspiring year of student-driven culinary creations.

To learn more about the competition or to submit a video, visit FloridaFutureChef.com. For information about other food and nutrition programs managed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.