Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson Announces Champion of the 2026 Florida Future Chef Student Cooking Competition

What this means

Three finalists, Indy Zhao, Emily Piper, and Logan Whisenhunt, competed in the culinary contest hosted in Tampa and were awarded a combined $10,000 in college funds. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the winner of the sixth annual Florida Future Chef student cooking competition, concluding the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ statewide search that celebrated nutrition, innovation and Florida agriculture.

Official release

Source material from Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Sep 21, 2026

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson Announces Champion of the 2026 Florida Future Chef Student Cooking Competition

Three finalists, Indy Zhao, Emily Piper, and Logan Whisenhunt, competed in the culinary contest hosted in Tampa and were awarded a combined $10,000 in college funds.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the winner of the sixth annual Florida Future Chef student cooking competition, concluding the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ statewide search that celebrated nutrition, innovation and Florida agriculture. Logan Whisenhunt of Pinellas County won first place with his dish, Cast Iron Panhandle Chicken with First Coast Corn Crostinis and Sunshine Matcha Mangos, a unique take on an elevated school meal that aligned with National School Lunch Program standards while showcasing Florida-grown lettuce and oranges.

The recipe earned top marks from the competition’s esteemed panel of judges for its innovative use of local foods, flavor, presentation, and overall execution, and Logan was awarded $5,000 in a Florida Investment 529 Plan in recognition of his achievement.

“Florida Future Chef is all about giving students a fun, hands-on opportunity to connect with the foods they eat at school while learning about nutrition and culinary skills,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “At the same time, Florida Future Chef helps to build a stronger understanding and connection between the next generation and where our food comes from and the farmers who work every day to feed our communities.”

Following a competitive statewide search, three talented chefs earned spots in the live finale event at the Epicurean Hotel in Tampa. There, they prepared original school meal-inspired dishes before a panel of three guest judges, and each finalist received college funds through a Florida Investment 529 Plan.

This year’s panel of esteemed judges included Heather Trice, Director of Food and Nutrition for Columbia County School District; Rosezine Killins, School Nutrition Specialist for Hillsborough County School District and 2026 Florida School Lunch Hero; and Jacob Rios, Culinary Director for Next Level Brands in Tampa.

Final rankings included:

First Place: Logan Whisenhunt, Pinellas County, Cast Iron Panhandle Chicken with First Coast Corn Crostinis and Sunshine Matcha Mangos — $5,000 in college funds

Second Place: Emily Piper, Manatee County, Chicken Parm Fries with Garden Pasta and Strawberry Caprese — $3,000 in college funds

Third Place: Indy Zhao, Orange County, Mini Cottage Pie — $2,000 in college funds

Scholarships and additional prizes were sponsored by the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, the presenting sponsor of the event. Finalists also enjoyed a dessert experience at Bern’s Steakhouse, a pizza party with Sally O'Neal’s Pizzeria and gift bags from Fresh From Florida.

Florida Future Chef is an extension of Florida’s National School Lunch Program, through which Florida schools provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to children each school day.

For more information about Florida Future Chef, visit floridafuturechef.com.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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Release text attributed to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.