Chef de Cuisine Collin Hilton Crowned 2025 World Food Champion
Cunningham Restaurant Group proudly celebrates the extraordinary achievement of our very own Corporate Chef de Cuisine, Collin Hilton, who has been crowned the 2025 World Food Champion.
His victory at this prestigious competition not only showcases his incredible talent but also underscores the commitment to culinary excellence that defines CRG. Along with the coveted title, Chef Collin secured a $150,000 grand prize, further cementing his place among the best chefs in the world.
Chef Collin’s path to becoming the World Food Champion was marked by creativity, precision, and a passion for storytelling through food. He competed in multiple intense rounds, delivering outstanding results:
• Retail Gourmet Challenge – Secured 2nd place overall
• Taste & Recreate Challenge – Earned 1st place
• Final Table: My Culinary Journey – Achieved 1st place and the 2025 World Food Champion title
In the final round, he impressed the judges with an elegant and thoughtfully crafted dish:
Spring Pea Cappellacci in Chicken Broth with Recado Negro, Sugar Snap Pea, and Cashew Salsa Macha with Meyer Lemon.
This meticulously crafted dish featured hand-rolled pasta dough infused with seaweed and basil, filled with English pea and butter, and served in a layered chicken broth infused with charred Guajillo and morita chilies. A finishing touch of coriander sprout, mint, and lemon gem balanced the dish’s depth with brightness and texture, leaving a lasting impression on the judges.
At Cunningham Restaurant Group, we are thrilled and incredibly proud to see Chef Collin achieve such a remarkable milestone. Mike Cunningham, Owner and CEO of CRG, shared his excitement:
"We are so proud of Collin and this well-deserved recognition at the 2025 World Food Championships. Winning a competition with over 1200 chefs participating speaks to his passion, talent, and commitment to excellence. We are so very fortunate to have Collin on our CRG team."
Reflecting on his victory, Chef Collin Hilton shared his gratitude:
"Thank you Chefs [judges], I appreciate all of your feedback, all the criticism, all of the praise... it's not lost on any of us."
Throughout the competition, Chef Collin was supported by CRG culinary team members Joni Manes and Kristi Feichtinger, whose dedication played a pivotal role in his success.
The World Food Championships: A Prestigious Culinary Battle
The World Food Championships (WFC) is one of the most prestigious food competitions in the world, bringing together elite chefs and home cooks to compete across twelve culinary categories, including Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Dessert, Noodle, Seafood and more. With over 1,200 chefs competing and contenders from nearly 40 countries, WFC represents the pinnacle of food sport. After winning their respective categories, competitors advance to The Final Table, where they battle for the grand prize and the ultimate honor of being crowned World Food Champion.
Experience Chef Collin’s Culinary Mastery
Food enthusiasts can experience Chef Collin Hilton’s award-winning approach to cuisine firsthand by dining at Cunningham Restaurant Group locations across the Midwest. From refined fine dining to casual favorites, CRG continues to showcase the passion and creativity of its chefs.
Additionally, the World Food Championships will return to Indianapolis this fall, offering a front-row seat to world-class culinary competition right in CRG’s hometown.
To view the highlights and behind-the-scenes action from the weekend, hosted by Celebrity Chef Brian Duffy, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@WorldFoodChampionshipsTV
For full results from the 2025 Final Table, visit: https://worldfoodchampionships.com/2025-final-table-results