VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge

Compete in the VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge!

The VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge is your chance to showcase your skills, creativity, and passion for the art of baking! Each year, aspiring bakers from across Florida compete in a high-energy showdown, crafting everything from quick breads and cookies to delicate choux pastry and a signature composed dessert.

The stakes? More than just bragging rights—the winner earns the prestigious Naomi Tidwell Scholarship to further their education in Baking & Pastry Arts! Do you have what it takes to impress the judges with your technique, precision, and flavor mastery? Join the challenge and show us your magic in the kitchen!

MORE INFORMATION

Why Compete?

Showcase your baking & pastry skills
Win the Naomi Tidwell Scholarship to support your culinary career
Get recognized by industry professionals as a VooDoo Chef

The Experience:

Put your baking skills to the test in a live competition
Create everything from cookies to choux pastry to a custom-composed dessert
Present your work, impress the judges, and claim your spot at the top!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Alexus Quiones

Alexus Quinones, winner of the 2017 Voodoo Chef High School Recipe Competition, graduated from Keiser University’s Center for the Culinary Arts. Over the past two years, she has honed her skills at Alessi Bakery and was recently promoted to their management team.

As a Certified Pastry Culinarian through the American Culinary Federation, Alexus continues to share her passion for the culinary arts. She also serves as Sous Chef for the Voodoo Chef Catering Team, bringing bold flavors to every dish. We are incredibly proud to see her pursuing her dreams and thriving in the industry.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Jada Vidal

Meet Jada Vidal—2017 Runner-Up and 2018 Winner of the Voodoo Chef High School Recipe Competition. She studied at Keiser University’s Center for the Culinary Arts and has been working in the industry since she was 15. Jada has gained experience at First Watch, Epicurean, and Counter Culture, and now serves as Sous Chef at the Michelin-acknowledged restaurant, Noble Rice.

Her culinary journey doesn’t stop there! In 2021, Jada showcased her skills on the national stage, winning Guy Fieri’s ‘Grocery Games’ on Food Network. She’s also taken on the ultimate test of creativity and skill by competing on Food Network’s ‘Chopped’!

“The Naomi Tidwell Scholarship helped my success. It gave me confidence that I have carried throughout my career! I am very honored to have been the first once to receive the scholarship.”

Amanda HigginsPastry Sous Chef, Apple Inc.

“I have supported the Foundation since inception and I can personally attest to the impact it has on the students of Tampa Bay.”

Phil AlessiOwner of Alessi Bakeries

“The VooDoo Chef Foundation is an asset to aspiring Culinarians in many ways. The Foundation leads through mentorship, scholarship, education, and inspiration.”

Chef Michael MoenchDean of Culinary, Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts

“If it wasn’t for Chef Youngs my passion may have been lost. Thanks to him and the VooDoo Foundation I was awarded almost $19,000.00 in scholarship making my dreams a reality.”

Chef Alexus QuinonesPastry Chef & Manager, Alessi Bakeries

“I have worked with VooDoo Chef, Erik Youngs, to support the VooDoo Chef Foundation for a while and I am amazed what an impact The Foundation has on the Tampa Bay community. It’s inspiring to watch the students excel and succeed. Erik truly cares about each student he meets.”

Serina AdlerOwner & Creative, Adler Creative Studios

VOODOO CHEF FOUNDATION

Where Passion for Food Creates Opportunities

The VooDoo Chef Foundation was created to promote education, nurture talent, and impact the Foodservice & Hospitality industry. Ultimately, our goal is to help students develop their own unique path in the Foodservice & Hospitality industry and achieve success wherever the industry takes them. Through culinary and education programs, we provide much needed support to our community in the Greater Tampa Bay area.

The VooDoo Chef Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in culinary scholarships to students in need and has helped feed over 3,000 families annually. By supporting the VooDoo Chef Foundation through donations and sponsorships, you are helping us build up the community through food and education, providing a sense of belonging to youths in need, and encouraging our students to dream big!

DONATE VOLUNTEER

Let’s Cook Up Change Together

BECOME A SPONSOR

Presenting Sponsor

Recognized as the “Presenting” sponsor on the event page, signage, social media posts, publications, and marketing events. Sponsor’s name/logo will be displayed on an award check presented to the winner. Includes representation on the judging panel and the HSRC podcast. Company-provided marketing materials (swag) will be included in winner bags.

$7,500

Powered by Sponsor

Recognized as the “Powered By” sponsor on the event page, signage, social media posts, publications, and marketing events. Sponsor’s name/logo with a personalized message will be featured on the label of seasoning sent to each entrant. Includes representation on the HSRC podcast. Company-provided marketing materials (swag) will be included in winner bags.

$5,000

Uniform Sponsor

Recognized as the “Uniform” sponsor on the event page, signage, social media posts, publications, and marketing events. Sponsor’s name/logo will be displayed on jackets awarded to winners. Includes representation on the HSRC podcast. Company-provided marketing materials (swag) will be included in winner bags.

$3,500

Scholarship Sponsor

Support the future of the industry through scholarship contributions. Recognized as a scholarship partner on the foundation website and represented on the HSRC podcast. Help fund opportunities for students and aspiring chefs through this initiative.

$2,500

Awards Sponsor

Contribute to the High School Recipe Challenge winners’ award bundle and be recognized as an “Awards Sponsor” during the awards presentation, supporting the next generation of culinary talent.

$2,500

Marketing Sponsor

Company name and logo featured on the event website and signage. Company-provided marketing materials (swag) will be included in guests’ take-away bags, increasing brand visibility among attendees.

VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge

Compete in the VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge!

Why Compete?

The Experience:

Alexus Quiones

Jada Vidal

“The Naomi Tidwell Scholarship helped my success. It gave me confidence that I have carried throughout my career! I am very honored to have been the first once to receive the scholarship.”

“I have supported the Foundation since inception and I can personally attest to the impact it has on the students of Tampa Bay.”

“The VooDoo Chef Foundation is an asset to aspiring Culinarians in many ways. The Foundation leads through mentorship, scholarship, education, and inspiration.”

“If it wasn’t for Chef Youngs my passion may have been lost. Thanks to him and the VooDoo Foundation I was awarded almost $19,000.00 in scholarship making my dreams a reality.”

“I have worked with VooDoo Chef, Erik Youngs, to support the VooDoo Chef Foundation for a while and I am amazed what an impact The Foundation has on the Tampa Bay community. It’s inspiring to watch the students excel and succeed. Erik truly cares about each student he meets.”

Where Passion for Food Creates Opportunities

Let’s Cook Up Change Together

Presenting Sponsor

$7,500

Powered by Sponsor

$5,000

Uniform Sponsor

$3,500

Scholarship Sponsor

$2,500

Awards Sponsor

$2,500

Marketing Sponsor

$500

VooDoo Links

Founded by VooDoo Chef Erik

Stay Connected!

Contact Us

VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge

Compete in the VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge!

Why Compete?

The Experience:

VooDoo Chef Foundation Logo

VooDoo Chef Foundation Logos-02

VooDoo Chef Foundation Logos-03

Healthy eating food layout and diet nutrition concept. Pineapple

VooDoo Chef Foundation

VooDoo Chef Cooking Vegetables

Chef Sprinkles Meat with Seasoning

Chef Cooking Italian Spaghetti

Chef Prepares Salad

Chef

Chef Prepare Kabobs

VooDoo Bash 2022

The Cuban Club

VooDoo Chef Progressive Dinner

VooDoo Chef Charity Golf Tournament

Butcher or chef cuts raw fresh beef meat on a cutting board before baking or barbecue. Working environment in the kitchen of a restaurant or hotel.

Adding chopped green onions to a fresh vegetable salad by the hands of a chef in the kitchen. Vegetarian dinner

The chef adds spices to spaghetti in a steamed hot pan. Recipe or menu for restaurant or hotel on black background.

VooDoo Chef Foundation

VooDoo Bash Burger Competition

VooDoo Bash 2022: Burger Competition

VooDoo Chef Foundation Culinary Competitors

VooDoo Bash Culinary Competitors

VooDoo Bash Burger presented on a Euro-Bake Charcoal Bun

Alexus Quiones

Jada Vidal

“The Naomi Tidwell Scholarship helped my success. It gave me confidence that I have carried throughout my career! I am very honored to have been the first once to receive the scholarship.”

“I have supported the Foundation since inception and I can personally attest to the impact it has on the students of Tampa Bay.”

“The VooDoo Chef Foundation is an asset to aspiring Culinarians in many ways. The Foundation leads through mentorship, scholarship, education, and inspiration.”

“If it wasn’t for Chef Youngs my passion may have been lost. Thanks to him and the VooDoo Foundation I was awarded almost $19,000.00 in scholarship making my dreams a reality.”

“I have worked with VooDoo Chef, Erik Youngs, to support the VooDoo Chef Foundation for a while and I am amazed what an impact The Foundation has on the Tampa Bay community. It’s inspiring to watch the students excel and succeed. Erik truly cares about each student he meets.”

Where Passion for Food Creates Opportunities

Let’s Cook Up Change Together

Presenting Sponsor

$7,500

Powered by Sponsor

$5,000

Uniform Sponsor

$3,500

Scholarship Sponsor

$2,500

Awards Sponsor

$2,500

Marketing Sponsor

$500

VooDoo Links

Founded by VooDoo Chef Erik

Stay Connected!

Contact Us