brought to you by Dairy West and Midwest Dairy
Time to show us how you can elevate a creative chicken dish with US-sourced cow’s milk cheese for a chance to win amazing cash prizes!
What is a better pairing than chicken and cheese? Chefs, we want to see you take a creative chicken dish to the next level using cow’s milk cheese! If you’re a US-based chef or restaurant operator, cook up a one-of-a kind chicken and cheese creation and then fill out the form below to submit photos and a dish description of your unique dish for the chance to win BIG. The judges will be looking for menu ideation for QSRs, Fast Casual and Casual Dining focused on creativity around utilizing cheese to upscale chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders. There are cash prizes up for grabs and multiple chances to win, including $3,000 + Meglio Knife for First Place, $2,000 Second Place, $1,000 Third Place, and a $500 People’s Choice Prize!
Need some inspiration? This is a French Onion Grilled Chicken Melt featuring a crispy chicken breast, caramelized onions, melted Gruyère and provolone, roasted garlic mayo, crispy fried onions on toasted brioche, finished with chicken au jus on the side for dipping!
CONTEST TIMELINE
- Dish Creation and Submission: Starting Monday October 12th, US-based chefs will create and submit their best dish featuring chicken and US-sourced cheese. Using the form below, please provide a high-resolution photo and detailed description of your original dish (no AI generated photos will be accepted). Entries must be submitted by Friday November 6, 2026.
- Judging and Winner Announcement: Judging will take place in November with first, second, and third place selected by Dairy West and Dairy Management Inc. The people’s choice winner will be selected by public vote. Winners will be announced on November 13, 2026.
APPROVED AMERICAN MADE CHEESES:
- cheddar
- mozzarella
- pimiento
- cream cheese
- feta
- cottage cheese
- gouda
- gruyere
- haloumi (made with cow’s milk)
CHEESES THAT ARE NOT APPROVED:
- manchego
- any non cow’s milk cheese
Terms and conditions apply. The full contest rules can be found here.
ENTER HERE
PRIZES
There will be four prize winners broken down as follows:
- First Place: $3,000 cash and a Meglio Knife
- Second Place: $2,000 cash
- Third Place: $1,000 cash
- People’s Choice: $500 cash
