World Food Championships and USA Rice Team Up for Global Culinary Showcase at ANUGA 2025

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Posted Jun 17, 2025

World Food Championships and USA Rice Team Up for Global Culinary Showcase at ANUGA 2025

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – (June 17, 2025) – The World Food Championships (WFC) is proud to announce USA Rice as a featured ingredient partner during a special global culinary collaboration — the inaugural “Flavor Fusion Culinary Showdown”. The culinary collaboration between WFC, NASDA and the USDA Foreign Ag Service in Berlin, Germany, will take the place of traditional chef sampling programs at the 2025 ANUGA Food Fair in Cologne, Germany, from October 4-8, 2025.

ANUGA, the largest and most influential international marketplace for the global food and beverage industry, will welcome over 7,900 exhibitors from 118 countries and more than 140,000 trade visitors from 200 countries. This year, WFC will make its debut on this global stage, bringing along celebrated culinary champions and industry partners to demonstrate the bold, diverse, and authentic ingredients that define global cuisine.

USA Rice will be at the heart of this showcase, representing one of the most important agricultural commodities in American food culture and exports. On October 7, the Flavor Fusion competition will serve as an official World Food Championships qualifying event, drawing the best culinary talent from throughout Europe to compete for their chance to win a coveted Golden Ticket invitation to the World Food Championships in 2026. Three head-to-head competitions, each featuring a different rice type (long, medium, and wild), will showcase the development of innovative rice-based dishes through the use of expert technique. The six participating competitors will develop six uniquely curated recipes that bring attention to the versatility and global appeal of U.S.-grown rice.

Known as one of the world’s most versatile foods, U.S. grown rice is also lauded for its excellent nutritional value. It is an outstanding source of protein, rich in complex carbohydrates, and contains important nutrients, such as Vitamin E, B vitamins, iron, magnesium and potassium. It is a low-allergen food that is low in fat and is cholesterol-free.

Joining the WFC delegation in Germany will be 2023 World Sandwich Champion Damon Holter, founder of Croix Valley Foods in Hudson, Wisconsin. Holter will serve as a celebrity judge, with other esteemed panelists, as well as present a live cooking demonstration that spotlights an award-winning recipe and the premium ingredients behind it.

“We’re thrilled to bring the excitement and excellence of Food Sport to ANUGA 2025 alongside USA Rice and our partners from Croix Valley Foods,” said Michael Eaton, CEO of World Food Championships. “This is a rare opportunity to highlight America’s culinary talent and agricultural leadership on a truly global platform. Our team is honored to share the stage with some of the world’s best, and we’re ready to represent the innovation and flavor that defines WFC and our partners.”

The Flavor Fusion Culinary Showdown will showcase US exhibitor products throughout the five-day show. With a rich history dating back to 1919, ANUGA has evolved into the premier international food fair, with a unique blend of heritage and innovation. WFC’s presence underscores the growing international recognition of Food Sport as a dynamic and competitive culinary platform.

For more information about how to get involved with the Flavor Fusion Culinary Showdown at ANUGA, or other WFC Global Development initiatives; contact Nikki Jackson, Global Development Director for the World Food Championships (nikki@worldfoodchampionships.com). Competitors, partners, and fans of Food Sport can stay up to date on all things related to the World Food Championships by visiting worldfoodchampionships.com or follow World Food Championships on Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships), Twitter (X) (@WorldFoodChamp), and LinkedIn (@WorldFoodChampionshipsHoldings).

About World Food Championships
The World Food Championships (WFC) is the premier food sport competition globally. This multi-day, live culinary event showcases some of the world's best cooks competing for food, fame, and fortune across multiple categories. Each year, thousands of teams vie for a coveted Golden Ticket at official qualifiers to earn their spot at WFC. Since its debut in 2012, the event has attracted participants from nearly 40 countries and every state in the U.S. The 2025 World Food Championships will take place October 16-19 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis. For more information, visit WorldFoodChampionships.com.

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World Food Championships and USA Rice Team Up for Global Culinary Showcase at ANUGA 2025

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