Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Future Chef

Florida Future Chef is a statewide culinary competition that invites Florida students to showcase their creativity using nutritious ingredients grown right here in Florida, for a chance to compete at a live finale event and win up to $5,000 in a Florida Prepaid Savings Plan.

Students are challenged to design a school meal that brings together at least three of the five key components: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy or dairy alternatives. Along the way, they’ll build confidence, practice real-world skills, and explore how food connects to fuel for your body, agriculture, and creativity.

What to Submit
To enter, students will create and share a look into their cooking process and the creativity behind it. A complete video entry must:
1. Be 2–5 minutes in length
2. Include the student introducing themselves and their recipe, including a brief explanation of what inspired the dish
3. Show the student preparing their recipe, highlighting key steps from start to finish, and include a clear view of the final plated meal
4. Feature a recipe that elevates a school meal, bringing together at least 3 components inspired by federal school meal nutrition standards, and a quick mention of which components are included. These include:
• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Grains
• Protein
• Dairy or dairy alternatives
5. Incorporate at least one Fresh From Florida ingredient, such as Florida-grown produce or proteins, into the dish, and explain how it is included
Each contestant may submit one entry, supported by a parent or guardian.

Who Can Enter
Florida Future Chef welcomes young culinary creators from across Florida to showcase their imagination, skills, and love of food. Participation is open to:
• Florida residents ages 8–12 at the time of the finale event September 13-16, 2026
• Students of all cooking skill levels, from beginners learning basics to students who already enjoy experimenting in the kitchen
• Kids who love school meals, want to recreate a family favorite, or simply enjoy creating something delicious from scratch