ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Calling all cooks and chefs: Apply now for a chance to be featured at this year’s LA Chef Con!
We’re looking for up-and-coming cooks and chefs from across the United States to participate in our Center Stage LA Chef Con 2025 program. Through three rounds, over four weeks, we will learn about you as we look to find our next Center Stage winner to be sent on an all expense paid trip to the LA Chef Conference in Los Angeles on October 6, 2025.
If chosen, you will have the opportunity to network with a stellar line-up of chefs as well as attend all of the conference activities – hosted at Redbird | Vibiana – as a VIP. You will have the opportunity to shine with your own station* to put forth a dish and be featured on Chef’s Roll.
Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn and commune with some of the best chefs in the country and get global recognition via Chef’s Roll’s 1.75 million social media following. In addition you will get kitted out with the latest Chef’s Roll Apparel and gear and get featured on our website and social media channels.
*Chef’s Roll to provide station setup, all ingredients and equipment.
HOW TO APPLY
Whether you are a gifted culinary student, advancing line cook that dreams of Michelin stars, seasoned chef de cuisine or even a chef owner that is looking to build an empire…we want you to apply.
ROUND 1: Application and Dish Post – July 28 – August 10, 2025
By August 10th, complete the following steps:
- Complete the application form below
- Post a photo of an original dish that represents your culinary style. Photo must be posted to Instagram using #CRCenterStageLAChefCon2025 and tag @chefsroll. If you do not have a public Instagram profile, you can email your photo to contest@chefsroll.com
ROUND 2: Dish creation and photo submission – August 18-24, 2025
Round 2 Challenge: Create a dish plated on Arc Cardinal using Ghirardelli and MIC Food products . Twenty applicants will advance to this round and be provided with a link to upload a photo of their dish. Ghirardelli Chocolate, MIC Food, and Arc Cardinal are sending products for the chefs to use in their creations.
ROUND 3: Interviews – August 26-28, 2025
Four finalists will be chosen to participate in virtual interviews with the team at Chef’s Roll. Based on the interviews, one winners will be chosen for the all expense paid trip to the LA Chef Conference in Los Angeles on October 6, 2025. The three runners-up will receive a Chef’s Roll Apparel package.
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Previous Center Stage Winners and Impact
Our “Class of 2025 Las Vegas edition!” These two incredible chefs won a trip to the MAPP Conference in Las Vegas!
I had an amazing experience at Center Stage. It was an honor to be in a room of great women and great talent. My favorite part of the conference was being able to share my love for baking and a piece of my culture at the gala with my bread pudding. Overall I learned a lot from the women I encountered and spoke with and definitely felt empowered and encouraged for the transition I was embarking on.
-Chef Nickey Boyd
It was such an honor to be one of the winners of Center Stage 2025. Participating in the contest was a fun challenge, and the assignments had my creative juices flowing. My motivation to win was the prize trip to the MAPP WHL Conference. I felt so much positivity every moment at the conference: making connections, sharing strengths, and being inspired. I am so grateful to have had this whole experience. Chef’s Roll, the sponsors and MAPP Impact, thank you for making this possible and for taking such good care of me on this exciting adventure.
-Chef Kalyn Bigelow
