Cooking Contest Central®, the premier online hub for cooking and recipe contest enthusiasts, is officially under new ownership. After more than two decades as a cornerstone of the competitive cooking world, Cooking Contest Central has been acquired by Brittany Furbee, a nationally recognized competitive chef, food writer, and recipe developer.

Founded in 1997 by Betty Parham, Cooking Contest Central was created as a place where recipe competitors could connect, share opportunities, and build lasting friendships. Under the leadership of longtime owner and CEO Kristina Vanni, Cooking Contest Central grew into the most trusted resource in the contesting world—posting hundreds of contests annually, connecting cooks nationwide, and earning national recognition from outlets like ABC News, Nightline, and Good Morning America.

“It has been such an honor working with the world’s most successful competitive cooks through Cooking Contest Central for the past 13 years,” said Vanni. “From small successes, to monumental, million-dollar wins, it has been pure joy to watch this membership develop creative, innovative, and award-winning recipes. These members have been an inspiration to me, and I feel lucky to count so many of them as friends. As I pass the whisk to Brittany, I can’t wait to see how she embraces this community and motivates a whole new generation of home cooks to experiment in the kitchen and win big!” 

Now, Cooking Contest Central enters its next chapter with Furbee at the helm.

Furbee is a competitive chef turned recipe developer and food writer from Morgantown, West Virginia. She burst onto the national food scene in 2017 after winning Food Network’s Cooks vs. Cons, beating two professional chefs and taking home the $10,000 grand prize. That win launched a career in competitive cooking that includes national recipe contest victories, competing at the World Food Championships, judging culinary events, hosting cooking demos, and representing brands across the country.

“Cooking contests have been my passion for more than a decade, and they’ve shaped every chapter of my career,” said Furbee. “To now be trusted with carrying on the legacy Kristina and Betty built—while expanding Cooking Contest Central into its next era—is truly an honor. This community has always been about creativity, connection, and a little competitive fire, and I’m excited to build on that foundation.”

Under Furbee’s ownership, Cooking Contest Central will continue to serve as the go-to destination for discovering contests, learning winning strategies, and connecting with fellow competitors. Plans include modernizing the Cooking Contest Central website, including a mobile friendly version. The brand will also be offering refreshed resources, expanded educational content, deeper community engagement, new partnerships with brands, and sponsored contests exclusively for members. 

About Cooking Contest Central

Cooking Contest Central® is the premier website and online community for cooking and recipe contest enthusiasts. Founded in 1997, Cooking Contest Central has connected thousands of home cooks and competitors nationwide, sharing contest listings, tips, and success stories.

Cooking and recipe contests offer home cooks a creative outlet with real rewards—cash prizes, vacations, kitchen appliances, free groceries, national recognition, and more. Millions of dollars in prizes are awarded each year to cooks who are willing to compete, create, and stand out. With new ownership, Cooking Contest Central is poised to continue inspiring cooks everywhere to turn their passion for food into opportunity, one recipe at a time.

For more information on becoming a member of Cooking Contest Central, visit: www.cookingcontestcentral.com/become-a-member/

Stay up to date on all things related to the Cooking Contest Central by visiting cookingcontestcentral.com or follow Cooking Contest Central on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact:
Cooking Contest Central
Website: cookingcontestcentral.com
Email: info@cookingcontestcentral.com

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