A short conversation with Nikki Jackson, Global Development Director of the World Food Championships (WFC), will give you an insight into WFC's mission to provide a platform for food enthusiasts, chefs, and home cooks to compete in categories like barbecue, soup, burger, and sandwich. No one can tell it has been less than six months since she took on her role. She brought over 17 years of experience in international business and agriculture to WFC.

Her vision is clear: to connect with anyone passionate about food, offer them an opportunity to showcase their culinary skills alongside top global chefs, and utilize the WFC platform to support increased consumption and use of U.S. agricultural ingredients abroad. 

An Inside Look at the World Food Championships

The WFC, renowned for celebrating diverse culinary talent, is creating an exciting new program under the guidance of Nikki Jackson. With her extensive agricultural experience, Nikki is working to combine her passion for global access to quality U.S. agricultural ingredients with WFC’s objectives, making the competition more inclusive for food lovers and agriculturalists around the world. “Part of what sets the WFC apart is it allows anyone passionate about food to enter the arena and compete, “she said. With Nikki as the Global Development Director, the future of WFC is set for continued global growth, inspiring food enthusiasts across all levels while simultaneously supporting U.S. agriculture ingredient awareness and access in foreign markets.

 A Platform for Everyone

The World Food Championships opens doors for competitors across a broad spectrum of expertise. Whether they are trained chefs or food bloggers who enjoy experimenting in their personal kitchens, the WFC allows them to shine. “We host competitions that appeal to everyday consumers and food lovers alike. Itis not about being a professional chef, although we have plenty of those competing; it is about passion and creativity.”

This inclusivity has helped the World Food Championship (WFC) expand its reach worldwide. The competition attracts a diverse crowd, from pitmasters showcasing their barbecue skills to aforementioned culinary bloggers experimenting in the kitchen. Some of the most popular categories, such as barbecue, see enthusiastic participation from individuals who have developed their skills without formal culinary training. The WFC even offers a specific category for professional chefs, ensuring everyone- from seasoned professionals to talented amateurs- has a platform to compete. 

Expanding Global Reach

Since joining the World Food Championships, Nikki has worked diligently to help expand the organization's global presence. “We’re monitoring over 1,000competitions worldwide, and winners receive ‘golden tickets’ to compete in the WFC finals held in the United States,” she explained. In fact, the 2024 World Food Championships wrapped up in Indianapolis, Indiana from November 8 to 12,2024. More than 1,300 competitors entered the kitchen arena to compete for a total prize pool of nearly half a million dollars and the title of World Food Champion. This year at WFC 2024 was a year of firsts. The event featured sold-out crowds, Team Dubai representing the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region, and a concerted effort to spotlight not only the talented cooks in the kitchen but also the ingredients on the plate (many of which were harvested or produced by local Indiana farmers and ranchers). The twelve category winners – including Hassan Naja from Dubai – will now move on to the Final Table, hosted in Bentonville, AR in March 2025.

Jackson explains that WFC's mission to enhance global competition and spread awareness about the importance of access to quality U.S. agriculture ingredients has already resulted in exciting developments. Part of Nikki’s role will be working with regional territory licensees, such as Cucina del Sul, across MENA to grow the WFC brand and platform. She also has plans for market penetration activities in Mexico and Germany in 2025, featuring competitions that showcase U.S. agricultural ingredients. Additionally, Japan, France, Australia, and the Middle East are experiencing rapid expansion, with new territory partnerships forming to expand WFC competitions in these regions. The enthusiasm is palpable as more countries are eager to join and participate, which shows in the growing number of international participants.

Supporting Women in Leadership

While the WFC’s core team is still relatively small, the Director is committed to supporting strong female leaders and diversity within and outside the organization. “I’m always looking to lift fellow women up in the industry,” she shared. From legal and contractual work to managing operations, women play a crucial role in the day-to-day functioning of WFC. "I believe in surrounding myself with inspiring, strong women who support each other and rise to the top together."

Balancing Work and Life

Despite her hectic schedule, Jackson finds time to unwind, especially by cooking for family and enjoying the ocean. “I love cooking for my son, though I wouldn’t say I’m culinary gifted!” she laughed. In her free time, she enjoys surfing, fishing, and simply unplugging from the fast-paced world of food competition.

As the World Food Championships continue to grow with the help of her leadership, itis clear that her passion for food, agriculture, and global culinary culture is stronger than ever. The Director’s global dedication to promoting healthy, quality ingredients promises to elevate WFC’s impressive reach further.

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