Every spring, Walnut Hill College holds its very own in-person Culinary Competition to discover and recognize rising talent among high school students. Each competition is open to high school seniors who have been admitted to Walnut Hill College. (There is still time to apply now!)

The Culinary Arts Competition challenges students to cook a chicken and one side dish using an array of ingredients provided in our kitchens. While everyone receives the same chicken recipe, each student must create their own side dish without using a printed recipe on competition day. This twist to the competition really brings out the inventive cooking ideas we love to see!

Students are also tested on knife skills. 

Full details of the competition will be sent to all registrants, so they can fully prepare.

Competitors are split into two divisions based on their high school. The two divisions are vocational-technical school and non-vocational-technical high school students. 

Each division of the Culinary Competition awards Walnut Hill College scholarships to three winners in the amounts of: 

• First Place: $5,000 
• Second Place: $2,500
• Third Place: $1,500 

Because we believe that putting yourself out there and taking a risk should be celebrated, we also offer all participants in the competitions $1,000 scholarship if they do not place in the top three.

As a bonus for your high school, the first-place winner earns their school a $500 award for its Family and Consumer Science Department or Culinary/Pastry Arts Program.

Please note: All scholarships awarded to competitors are only redeemable at Walnut Hill College as payment towards tuition.  Also students are only allowed to sign up for either the Culinary or Pastry Competition.