Local and regional chefs can sign up to compete in three mouthwatering categories on Oct. 15 

for a chance to move on to the World Food Championships in Dallas.  

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. — A sizzling showdown of culinary excellence is set to go down at the inaugural Innisfree Food Challenge on Oct. 15, and the competition is open to all local chefs and cooks. It’s FREE for chefs to compete in the three mouthwatering categories — Bacon, Sandwich, and Live Fire — to showcase some of the best kitchen talent in town. 

Presented by PensacolaBeach.com and Innisfree Hotels (innisfreehotels.com), the Innisfree Food Challenge will bestow three winning chefs with a coveted golden ticket (valued at $1,000 each) to compete in the World Food Championships in Dallas. Prizes in the World Food Championship in November include $7,500 for each category and $100,000 for the ultimate winner. But that’s not all: Innisfree Hotels will generously cover the winners’ airfare and accommodations in Dallas, too! 

If you are or know of a local chef interested in competing, please email Heather Hice at hhice@innisfreehotels.com or Tyler Fay at tfay@innisfreehotels.com to register. For more information, visit .

“Food is a huge part of the coastal communities where we have Innisfree properties. Our hope in offering this event is to engage with the Pensacola Beach community, and we are looking forward to seeing what our local chefs will create to showcase their unique talents,” said Manuel Rodriguez, Corporate Director of Food & Beverage, Innisfree Hotels. “I personally cannot wait to see who cooks up the winning food at our inaugural Innisfree Food Challenge next month.”
The night before the main event, celebrity chefs Ronald Burns and John Lindsey will share steak-cooking tips and more during the Fire & Flavors VIP Kickoff Event. Taking place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Sal de Mar, outside the Hilton Pensacola Beach, Fire & Flavors will include live music, delicious appetizers and demo samples from the chefs, fireworks, and an open bar. Tickets are $75 and available for purchase on Eventbrite.