Lt. Governor Crouch introduces Team Indiana

Hoosier chefs, home cooks to compete in 2019 World Food Championships

 Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch announced today that a talented and diverse group of Hoosier culinary professionals and amateur home cooks will compete in the 2019 World Food Championships in Dallas, Texas this October 16-20.

The Indiana Office of Tourism Development will participate as a sponsor of Team Indiana. Additional sponsors and financial supporters of Team Indiana include: Indiana Grown, ClusterTruck, Red Gold, Piazza Produce, Central Restaurant Products, Indiana Kitchen-Premium Pork Products and Agency Worldwide.

Team Indiana is the first initiative for Culinary Crossroads, a new and ongoing branding campaign focused on raising awareness of the personalities, products, services and attractions that comprise Indiana’s culinary landscape.

“Team Indiana features a wide selection of the most creative and talented chefs and home cooks our state has to offer,” Crouch said. “Their participation in the rapidly expanding world of food sport, and specifically the World Food Championships, will introduce the Culinary Crossroads brand to the international stage.”

Prior to the 2019 World Food Championships in October, Team Indiana will take their show on the road, hosting public events across the state this summer, including activities at the Indiana State Fair this August.

Crouch is focused on the important role Team Indiana and the Culinary Crossroads branding effort will play in attracting the skilled professionals needed to fuel Indiana’s growing economy.

“We are blessed with a phenomenal community of chefs, farmers, ranchers and food retailers throughout Indiana,” Crouch said. “Raising awareness of these talented individuals and organizations is a critical ingredient in making our state a tremendous place to live, work and play.”

Crouch said that as the state develops the Culinary Crossroads brand, it will continue to share stories with consumers around the country and provide this information to Indiana businesses to assist in their respective talent recruitment efforts.

Indianapolis chefs Craig Baker of Nostalgia Catering and Cindy Hawkins of Circle City Sweets will play leading roles for Team Indiana.

“Indiana’s food culture has matured significantly over the past decade and we’re proud as members of Team Indiana to showcase a diverse array of chefs and cooks from across the state at the World Food Championships,” Baker said.

“It’s a great honor and opportunity to take our team members’ shared passion for food and use it to promote all that Indiana has to offer,” Hawkins said. “Team Indiana is a collaborative effort and we are very thankful for all the support.”