FAQs

• Contestant must use ALL 3 Mystery Ingredients in their dish for each round.
  
  
• Round 1 – All recipes and photos must be submitted by October 2, 2026 to qualify for the competition. Recipes will be reviewed by Sysco representatives and narrowed down to 5 winners per site (San Francisco, Sacramento, and Modesto), for a total of 15 semi-finalists. Winners will be announced at the Sysco Holiday Food Shows in October 2026.
  
  
• Round 2 – The in-person semi-finals will be held at each Sysco site in February 2027. Each contestant will cook solo at an assigned station with equipment. Contestants will have access to the Sysco Pantry in addition to the 3 Mystery Ingredients, along with shared large kitchen equipment. Competitors will have 45 minutes, with time beginning once the Mystery Ingredients are revealed. Dishes will be judged on Taste, Innovation, and Use of Mystery Ingredients.
  
  
• Round 3 – The final competition will be held at CIA Copia in Napa, CA on April 26, 2027. Finalists will cook with the assistance of their Sous Chef at an assigned station. Contestants will have access to the Sysco Pantry, the 3 Mystery Ingredients, and shared CIA kitchen equipment. Competitors will have 45 minutes, beginning when the Mystery Ingredients are revealed. Judges will score dishes based on Taste, Innovation, and Use of Mystery Ingredients.

• Contestants must have an active Customer ID number with Sysco.

• Sysco colleagues are not eligible to compete as culinary contestants.

• Businesses must be located within the delivery area of Sysco San Francisco, Sysco Sacramento, or Sysco Central California.

Round 1: August 17 – October 2, 2026. Recipes must be submitted by October 2, 2026.

Round 2: Round 1 winners must be available to compete in person in February 2027.

Round 3: Round 2 winners must be available to compete in Napa on April 26, 2027.

Round 2: In-person competitions will be held at your aligned Sysco site (Sysco San Francisco, Sysco Sacramento, or Sysco Modesto) in February 2027.

Round 3: The final competition will take place at CIA Copia in Napa, CA on April 26, 2027.

Round 1 Semi-Finalists:

• One personally engraved chef knife
• $250 Sysco invoice credit
• 15 total prizes awarded
  
  

Round 2 Finalists:

• Trip to Napa, CA for the finals including: 2-night hotel stay (one room for the finalist and guest, one room for the sous chef and guest)
• VIP dinner
• Swag bag
• Three finalists in total
  
  

Round 3 Final Winner:

• $1,000 Libbey product credit on the customer's Sysco account
• Dinner for two (Chef + 1) at a Michelin-starred restaurant (valued at $2,000)
• $2,000 cash prize (awarded to the chef)
• Featured on Sysco Foodie social media channels
• One finalist will be selected