We’re thrilled to announce that Executive Chef Jesse Vega Sr. earned an impressive second-place finish at the World Food Championships in the Seafood category on October 19, 2025. Chef Jesse competed against 18 other elite culinary competitors from around the world!
What Are the World Food Championships?
The World Food Championships (WFC) is known as the ultimate food sport competition, bringing together the world’s best chefs, home cooks, and culinary teams to compete for prizes and the coveted title of World Food Champion. This annual event features multiple categories including seafood, steak, chicken, bacon, and more, with competitors battling through qualifying rounds to earn their spot at the finals. It’s often called the “Super Bowl of Food Sports,” and earning a place at the championship table is an honor in itself.
A Winning Performance
Chef Jesse showcased his culinary mastery with a stunning menu that featured his signature Salmon Au Poivre with Rusty Nail Cream Sauce, accompanied by Curry Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions & Shallots, and a Wilted Watercress Vegetable Medley. These sophisticated dishes highlighted Chef Jesse’s ability to blend classic techniques with bold, innovative flavors—a skill he’s honed over more than four decades in professional kitchens.
If these dishes sound familiar, that’s because Chef Jesse taught a special class at The Culinary Center in early October featuring these exact menu items! Our guests got an exclusive preview of championship-level cuisine and learned the techniques that would soon impress judges on a national stage.
A Lifetime of Culinary Excellence
Chef Jesse Vega Sr.’s second-place finish is the latest achievement in a remarkable culinary career. A graduate of Johnson County Community College’s Chef Apprenticeship and Dietary Manager programs, Chef Jesse currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the Greater Kansas City Chefs’ Association, a role that reflects his standing in our local culinary community.
His competitive spirit runs deep. In 2011, he teamed up with his son, Jesse Jr., to win the Taste of Kansas City Iron Fork Trophy onstage in the Power & Light District. He’s a three-time winner of the Missouri Pork Council’s “Taste of Elegance” People’s Choice Award (2005, 2011, and 2012), and in 2017, he was honored as the Greater Kansas City ACF Chef of the Year.
Check Out Chef Jesse’s Classes
As one of The Culinary Center’s most seasoned chefs, Chef Jesse brings four decades of professional experience, competitive achievements, and global perspective into every class he teaches. He’s passionate about sharing global flavors, American Italian, Tex-Mex, and Middle American Kansas City cuisines with students of all skill levels.
Chef Jesse will continue teaching classes for us in the future, so whether you’re a beginner looking to build foundational skills or an experienced home cook wanting to learn championship-level techniques, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from a culinary champion. Check our class schedule to see when Chef Jesse Vega Sr. will be teaching next!
Published: Oct. 27, 2025
ABOUT THE CULINARY CENTER OF KANSAS CITY
Founded in 1996, The Culinary Center of Kansas City is the Midwest’s premier culinary arts center dedicated to food, wine, and culinary education. Located in a historic restored buggy barn in downtown Overland Park, Kansas, the CCKC offers cooking classes, interactive events, private dining experiences, team-building programs, and a curated Kitchen Shop. For more information, visit kcculinary.com or call 913-341-4455.
Contact: Darren Palmet, Co-owner of The Culinary Center of Kansas City | 913-341-4455 | darren@kcculinary.com