AHF Culinary Competition

At Delegate, we live and breathe foodservice innovation — and during the AHF National Conference Culinary Competiton 2025 it’s all about the chefs. We’re honored to sponsor this year’s AHF Culinary Competition Technology Sponsor and celebrate the incredible talent, creativity, and heart behind every dish.

Each competing team has crafted a recipe that blends culinary artistry with healthcare practicality — and thanks to Delegate’s Recipe Viewer, you can dive into their creations like never before.

🍳 Explore the menu

🌱 View nutritional info, CO₂ impact, and ingredient details

📸 See images, translations, and chef stories

⭐ Rate your favorites and share feedback that shapes the People’s Choice Award

The Rules

Develop an original recipe using three ingredients from two Market Baskets established by the Culinary Competition Committee. Any additional ingredients can be used in your recipe to produce six portions. Each portion must meet the cost and nutrition guidelines below.

Food Cost

Raw food cost must not exceed $8 per portion. The raw food cost includes all ingredients for the center of plate, sides, sauces, and garnishes. Nutritional Guidelines One portion of the recipe with all ingredients must not exceed these nutritional guidelines.

Maximum of 700 calories
Less than 23 grams of fat (maximum of 30% of total calories)
Less than 750mg of sodium

Market Baskets

Select three ingredients from two Market Baskets. Choose one ingredient from Market Basket A and at least two ingredients from Market Basket B.

Market Basket A

Andouille Sausage
Crab
Pork (Loin, Chops, or Ground)
King Trumpet / Oyster Mushrooms

Mystery Ingredient

To Be Announced at Conference

Market Basket B

The Trinity (bell peppers, celery, & onion)
Collards
Corn-on-the-Cob
Eggplant
Okra
Sweet Potatoes
Basmati Rice
Pecans
Red Beans (canned or dried*)

🔥 A Prize with Precision

Delegate is proud to sponsor this year’s AHF Culinary Competition — and even prouder to recognize the talent behind the top dish. The winning team will receive professional-grade meat thermometers, a must-have tool for culinary accuracy, safety, and excellence in every kitchen. Because great food starts with great technique — and the right tools.