SHREVEPORT, La. — The Prize Foundation has announced the six local chefs who will compete for the coveted Golden Fork Trophy at the 2025 Food Prize, a key feature of this year’s Prize Fest, taking place October 15–19 in downtown Shreveport.
Selected through the Food Prize Golden Fork Dinner Series—an invite-only culinary competition held during spring and summer—the finalists were scored by Society of the Golden Fork Members on taste, creativity, and execution. The top three chefs from each session now advance to the final event, Come and Get It, on Wednesday, October 15.
During Come and Get It, each finalist will be paired with a celebrity chef, including Top Chef champion Tristen Epps and other notable figures from the national culinary scene. The exclusive tasting event also features cocktails from local mixologists and wine from nationally recognized portfolios.
“One of the goals we have at the Prize Foundation is to shine a spotlight on our culinary community and help transform Shreveport and Bossier’s food culture,” said Gregory Kallenberg, founder of Food Prize.
At Come and Get It, three chefs will be selected live on stage to advance to the Battle for the Golden Fork, a live, Chopped-style cook-off scheduled for Saturday, October 19, at 6 p.m. at Festival Central. The event is free and open to the public.
Finalists will prepare dishes using a mystery basket of ingredients in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. The winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and the Golden Fork Trophy.
“There’s a reason Top Chef celebrity chefs are coming in to work with our Food Prize chefs,” said Kallenberg. “We are becoming a burgeoning food capital, and these local chefs are leading the way.”
Prize Fest 2025 will also feature programming in independent film, music, and comedy. Tickets and event details are available at PrizeFest.com.