World Food Championships! Winner

Hi all!

I’m Annakate, and I’m a member of the Just A Pinch Kitchen Crew. The adrenaline is still high after our time in Las Vegas for the World Food Championships! We had the distinct pleasure of hosting 17 Just A Pinch members who had won a slot to compete! This was QUITE an honor, as our group was the only set of non-professional competitors at the event! Our folks went head to head against hundreds of restaurateurs, chefs and professional competitors. The weekend was a blur of chopping, sautéing, baking and zooming around…and we had a blast!

We kicked off the weekend with a team meet-up so everyone could get to know one another. Just A Pinch is a wonderful place for folks to connect online, and it turns out it’s just as wonderful meeting each other in person. Our group boasted members from across the country, and there was frequent joking about suitcase contents: pots, pans, spatulas, blenders, spices, sauces and more. A genuine spirit of camaraderie was present within the group right from that first meeting.

The following day marked the beginning of competition. Our crew did a group grocery shop that felt just like Supermarket Sweep, everyone hurrying off to get the items they needed! Then it was back to “Kitchen Alley” on the grounds of Bally’s Resort for some serious cooking.

Hosting the event was Adam Richman, star of Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” and “Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America.” He took special time to meet up with the ‘Pinchers and shared encouraging words before the finalists were announced. Turns out, he has a very soft spot in his heart for home cooks, having learned a ton from his own mother whose recipes and cooking methods he felt could stand up against any professional chef. It was so touching and so sincere. Color us charmed.

As the first round of competition came to a close, we all gathered in front of a large stage right on the Las Vegas strip, to hear the names of the lucky Finalists. Before I knew what was happening, we were dancing in the streets, cheering and crying, laughing and hugging… Just A Pinch had THREE Finalists: Linda Bonwill, Jackie Mento and Lori McClain, each winning $1,000! It was joyous chaos.

If that wasn’t exciting enough, the next day Linda qualified to compete at the Final Table, the ultimate honor. Not only was she the only home cook, but also the only woman to qualify! Beating out TWO of the pros to take 5th place!! (Note: She actually got 4th place but celebrity judge Robin Leach changed his vote at the last second which sent the crowd into a frenzy, and chants of “Just A Pinch” erupted!)

All in all, it was a wonderful and exciting time at the first-ever World Food Championships in Las Vegas! It was touching to see the camaraderie and supportive spirit that pervaded each of the events. On behalf of the entire Kitchen Crew, we feel so thankful to be part of such a wonderful group of people. Three cheers for our home cooks!!