Compete at the expo
2022 Competition Information
Registration is NOW OPEN for all competitions at the 2022 Mid America Restaurant Expo & Conference.
Participants must be at least 16 years old, and work as an industry professional or be enrolled in a culinary program in order to be eligible. All Mixed Up contestants must be at least 21 years of age.
Mixed Up Cocktail Competition
The Mixed Up Cocktail Competition encourages participants to create a modern interpretation of a classic cocktail using five ingredients or less. Have a great bar program? Show it off at the first annual Mixed Up! Winners will receive a cash prize! For a full list of rules, CLICK HERE.
Creative Cakes Competition
Creative Cakes now in person! Hosted at the Mid-America Restaurant Expo, Monday, September 26th, 2022. Food Network competitor Nacho Aguirre will serve as a celebrity guest judge. Thousands of Expo attendees will view these entries and vote on People's Choice. Cash prizes and trophies will be available for top three teams.
Be a Judge!
For questions about becoming a judge, contact Shoshanna Gross by email or at 917.628.3198
2020 Winners
2020 "Best of the Midwest" Pizza Pizzazz Winners
1st place: Antonio’s Italian Ristorante, Carmela Cataldo
2nd place: DeFelice Brothers Pizza, Dominic DeFelice
3rd place: Sloopy’s Sports Café, Jeremy Corbin
2020 Burger Battle Winner:
1st place: Hudson 29 Upper Arlington, Kelby Muehfeld