Chef Application for Local Food Throwdown 2026
Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: The Pearl Event Center, downtown Fort Wayne
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 Johnny Perez from Te Gustó Hospitality, Tony West from The Oyster Bar, and Jon Brown from Spoke + Ivy.
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.
Chef Liaison: To ensure you have everything you need for a successful competition, Johnny Perez, Local Food Throwdown 2025 appetizer course winner, will be serving as our dedicated Chef Liaison. They will be your go-to contact for all logistics, kitchen operations and event-day coordination.
Each participating chef will:
1) Receive an ingredient stipend, $400 for an appetizer or dessert, or $600 for an entrée, to help cover the cost of 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 entrées, and 3 desserts throughout the event
2) Compete in ONE dinner course category for either Best Locally-sourced Appetizer, Entree, or Dessert.
3) Submit your final dish name, descriptions and local ingredient lists by September 9, 2026.
4) Have access to Ducky’s kitchen prior to your course for final plating and finishing. Food must arrive mostly prepped. Available equipment includes a flat-top, grill, sauté stations, and a gas range, plus on-site warmers and refrigeration. Note: Oven space is limited.
5) 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.
6) Supply your own serving utensils. Northeast Indiana Local Food Network will provide all needed chafing dishes, dishes, silverware and linens for guests, but participants are responsible for their prep and serving supplies.
7) Receive an equal share of the online Communal Tip Jar contributed by Local Food Throwdown guests and split equally between all participating chefs.
8) Work with the Local Food Throwdown event committee to pre-record a short interview for the event broadcast.
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 2026 Northeast Indiana Local Food Throwdown by completing the application below. Deadline to apply is Monday, August 3, 2026.
The Local Food Throwdown Chef Line-Up will be announced on Thursday August 20, 2026. 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 Karen Petersen at Karen@neifood.org or (919)291-1421.
