Student Opportunities

VooDoo Chef Underground

The Heat is On! Eight high school culinary teams. One intense cook-off. Who will rise to the top and claim the title of VooDoo Underground Champion? Witness the battle unfold as the next generation of chefs showcase their skills, creativity, and passion.

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High School Recipe Challenge

High school chefs, this is your moment! Enter the VooDoo Chef High School Recipe Challenge and bring the heat by creating a bold, VooDoo-inspired dish using VooDoo Chef Red Seasoning. Show off your skills, impress the judges, and compete for a culinary scholarship!

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Baking & Pastry Challenge

Let’s Bake! Step up to the challenge and showcase your baking skills—from quick breads to custom desserts—for the love of the art and a chance to earn a scholarship in Baking & Pastry. Inspired by Naomi Tidwell’s passion, this competition is more than a challenge—it’s a legacy.

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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

How We Help

Culinary Scholarships

The VooDoo Chef Foundation awards $100,000 in culinary scholarships every year in the efforts to promote continued education and food.

Fundraisers & Events

We host a variety of charity events throughout the year to raise money the support The Foundation’s mission with food and education.

Education & Mentorship Programs

Our students go through detailed training, rigorous hands-on work, and traditional education courses as they aspire for growth and success.

Community Outreach

We provide feed over 3,000 families annually in the Hillsborough County and beyond. We are dedicated to helping our community with food.

Foodservice Training

Through training and education, we help students develop the necessary industry related skills to further there careers in the Foodservice.

Employment Assistance

We want our students to succeed no matter what culinary path they want to take. We help our students find employment when needed.

“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.”

Alexus QuionesAssistant General Manager, Alessi Bakeries

“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.

“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

“Not only does VooDoo Underground provide an opportunity for our students to earn scholarship dollars, competing also builds the students confidence they need to be successful in the hospitality industry.”

Paul BonannoChef/Instructor, Strawberry Crest High School

I would not be where I am today without the support and guidance of Chef Youngs and the VooDoo Chef Foundation.

Treasure SneadChef, Tampa

“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

“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

“The Our HOPE! the event was such a blessing to Robinson High School. Our students have lost so much over the last year, it was wonderful to make them feel special and provide them with a unique experience.”

Jennifer RosageFormer Assistant Principal, Tampa

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.

Student Opportunities

VooDoo Chef Underground

High School Recipe Challenge

Baking & Pastry Challenge

Where Passion for Food Creates Opportunities

How We Help

Culinary Scholarships

Fundraisers & Events

Education & Mentorship Programs

Community Outreach

Foodservice Training

Employment Assistance

“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.”

“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.”

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

“Not only does VooDoo Underground provide an opportunity for our students to earn scholarship dollars, competing also builds the students confidence they need to be successful in the hospitality industry.”

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

“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.”

“The Our HOPE! the event was such a blessing to Robinson High School. Our students have lost so much over the last year, it was wonderful to make them feel special and provide them with a unique experience.”

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

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