WFC Qualifying Event - Maryland Seafood Festival

The Restaurant Association of Maryland is happy to bring you our last qualifying competition of 2025 for a Seafood Golden Ticket at the World Food Championships.

Check out the Maryland Seafood Festival website for ticket information and schedules of the day

The festival is open to the general public to watch this competition in person and enjoy all the festival has to offer. We look forward to seeing you there!

Maryland Seafood Festival Competition Rules
Qualifying dishes must highlight one of the provided seafood ingredients and include at least one of the provided McCormick Spices.

You are challenged with creating a dish that embodies the beauty, flavor, and freshness of fresh Maryland seafood.  Your dish can be in any style or of any meal (sandwich, soup, noodles, breakfast, dessert, dinner, etc.).

McCormick Bundle: Our friend from McCormick Spice will be providing a spice bundle to each competitor that will include salt, pepper, onion powder, oregano, Old Bay, Franks Red Hot, and French’s yellow mustard. Chefs are welcome to bring their own spices as well but at least one of the listed above must be used in their dish.

** This competition does not allow for the use of a Sous Chef, competition must be completed by a singular Chef. 

Plating
Competitors are required to plate 4 identical dishes.  Three will be judged, and one will be put on display for the public to see. 

Competitors are responsible for providing their own plates/bowls. Eating utensils and bottled water for judges will be provided by RAM.

Equipment
Competitors will be provided with a cooking space with two clothed 6ft tables, two butane burners, potable water, and electricity.

Competitors must bring all of their own equipment needed to execute their dish. ie: pots, pans, knifes, cutting boards, whisks, spatula, mixing bowls, plates, oils, and all other ingredients.
Electric countertop appliances are welcomed – blenders, air fryers, deep fryers, ovens, etc.

If you are bringing a small countertop deep fryer, you are responsible for providing and properly removing all used oil.  There will be no oil disposal at the festival. 

There is a large charcoal grill available for shared use.