Walmart Joins Food Sport Movement As Presenting Sponsor of WFC

ORANGE BEACH, Ala., Jan. 16, 2018 -- Walmart, the world’s largest grocery retailer, is joining the world’s largest Food Sport event as the Official Retail Partner and Presenting Sponsor of the 2018 World Food Championships. 

To kick off the new relationship, WFC announced that it will be hosting a special Final Table event in Bentonville, Arkansas, in April to crown its new World Food Champion, while also kicking off new retail programs that are being implemented through the new partnership.

“This marks both a culmination of our incredible 2017 event and an extraordinary kick off to the 2018 Food Sport season,” commented Mike McCloud, President and CEO of WFC. “By partnering with Walmart to expand our platform into retail and merchandising channels, our culinary champions will now be able to see their creative and innovative food skills come to life in ways we have only imagined.”

The ten champions who won their respective WFC categories in November will now meet at Brightwater, a world-class culinary center in Bentonville for the study of food.  Brightwater will be the host for a special VIP event on Saturday, April 21^st, and then WFC’s Final Table on Sunday, April 22^nd, to see who wins the ultimate $100,000 prize purse. 

“Food Sport and events like WFC are creating some unique and exciting trends for consumers, food brands and food merchandising,” commented Charles Redfield, executive vice president, Walmart U.S. Food Division. “We’re thrilled to be joining this movement and look forward to being part of its continued growth in the years ahead.”

Almost 450 teams from more than 40 states and 14 countries entered the WFC in 2017, which was held in Orange Beach, Alabama this past November. The ten champions who emerged from the field to win their respective categories were comprised of home cooks, pro teams and professional chefs. The 2018 WFC, which will be presented by Walmart, will be held again at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, on Nov 7-11. To learn more about the championship, its categories or the event’s tournament-style process, visit www.WorldFoodChampionships.com. 

About the World Food Championships
Now in its 7^th season, The World Food Championships (www.WorldFoodChampionships.com) features almost 500 culinary champions and teams from around the globe in a multi-challenge, elimination-style food tournament. Started in 2012, the event has spawned more than 30 TV careers while being featured on ABC Nightline, A&E’s FYI Channel, Destination America and Food Network. Scheduled for Nov. 7-11 at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, the 2018 main event will once again feature 10 official categories with over $300,000 in cash and prizes. More than 100 food brands will be featured through special tasting events for both consumers and competitors. Follow World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), and Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fec1cc94-27c3-4c07-bd0a-a8b6bd4a126b

Gabriella Farley
World Food Championships
9315288852
[email protected]