Press contact: Angela Try

SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College will host the 2025 International Young Chef’s Regional Competition on Saturday, March 29, at the Workforce Careers Center on LLCC’s campus in Springfield, 5250 Shepherd Rd. Competition will begin with staggered start times at 8:30 a.m.

Gracie Brink, of Springfield, an LLCC culinary program alumna, will be one of six young chefs competing. Brink is employed at Cracker Barrel. Other competitors include Maddilyn Grupa, Detroit, Mich.; Meghan Jones, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Zander Ponce, Des Moines, Iowa; Brendan Ruffy, Toledo, Ohio; and Alexander Stash, Indianapolis, Ind. Competitors are nominated by restaurant owners, managers, chefs and culinary instructors.

The event at LLCC is one of 10 Young Chefs competitions happening across the country. Competitors are given an identical mystery market basket containing a few key ingredients and must prepare a three-to-four course meal using those ingredients. Among the judges are Chef Lakesha Jackson, LLCC alumna and general manager at Potbelly Sandwich Shop, and Chef Howard Seidel, adjunct instructor at LLCC.

The Young Chefs winner will be announced during a regional dinner taking place at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on Saturday evening.

The first Young Chefs Competition was organized in 1977 in Switzerland, giving young chefs an opportunity to demonstrate their skills. The competition came to the United States in 1990.

LLCC offers an associate in applied science degree in culinary arts and in hospitality management and services. Professional certificates offered include first cook, culinary manager, baking and pastry, hospitality professional and hospitality supervisor. LLCC also offers non-credit cooking and baking classes, as well as dinners at Bistro Verde. Learn more at www.llcc.edu/hospitality-culinary.