Chef Application for Local Food Throwdown 2025
Date: Monday, September 29, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: The Lodge at Camp Red Cedar, 3900 Hursh Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46845
The Local Food Throwdown celebrates the best and freshest ingredients from Northeast Indiana farms and the talented individuals who produce and serve them - all while raising critical funds for Northeast Indiana Local Food Network programs and initiatives.
Apply Now! Be one of the Nine Northeast Indiana chefs chosen to compete in this year’s friendly Local Food Throwdown. Past winners include Matthew Nolot from Tolon, Samantha Yim from True Kimchi and Aaron Butts from Bistro Nota.
Show off your culinary skills by sharing your best appetizer, entree or dessert featuring local ingredients and help the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network raise funds to bring more local food from Our Land to Our Tables.
Each participating chef will:
1) Receive $400 to help cover the cost of ingredients for ONE dish featuring at least TWO locally sourced ingredients for 200 guests. Portion size should be modest or “small plate” sized, as each guest will be enjoying 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 3 desserts throughout the event.
2) Compete in ONE dinner course category for either Best Locally-sourced Appetizer, Entree, or Dessert.
3) Have access to the large catering kitchen at The Lodge at Camp Red Cedar prior to plating your dish for each guest during the event. All food must arrive at the event ready for final plating. There is no on-site cooking permitted. However, warmers and refrigeration are available on site.
4) Work collaboratively with other chefs to create a memorable celebration of our local farms and artisan food & beverage producers for all the Local Food Throwdown guests.
5) Supply your own chafing dish & serving utensils. Northeast Indiana Local Food Network will provide all needed dishes, silverware and linens for guests, but participants are responsible for their prep and serving supplies
6) Receive an equal share of the online Communal Tip Jar contributed by Local Food Throwdown guests and split equally between all participating chefs.
The Best Chefs who create the best dish in each dinner course category will be chosen by the Local Food Throwdown guests. Winning Chefs and the Farmers who produced their ingredients will be recognized during the event.
Apply to participate in the 2025 Northeast Indiana Local Food Throwdown by completing the application below. Deadline to apply is Monday, August 25, 2025.
The Local Food Throwdown Chef Line-Up will be announced on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The Nine Chefs chosen to compete in the Local Food Throwdown will come from across Northeast Indiana and will prepare a broad selection of dishes for Local Food Throwdown guests to enjoy. Chefs will be chosen by the event planning committee based on their level of interest in the event, their commitment to sourcing local ingredients, and their enthusiasm for working collaboratively with other chefs and the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network to create a very special evening for our guests.
Questions about the Local Food Throwdown? Contact Janet Katz, Chair of the Local Food Throwdown Planning Committee at Janet@neifood.org or (260)241-2260.
