Pros vs. Joes in World Food Championships

Nearly 500 cooks and chefs will compete for a slice of a $300,000 prize pie in downtown Las Vegas this weekend in the World Food Championships, which organizers are billing as a set of matchups between the “Joes” and the “Pros.”

Opening rounds start today and continue through Friday, with competitions in bacon, barbecue, burger, cheese, chili, sandwich, pasta, seafood and dessert on the Fremont Street Experience and at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, 200 S. Third St. Category championships will follow on Saturday and Sunday, with the World Food Championships Final Table on Tuesday. The category competitions are free to the public.

Another free event, the Reser’s America’s Best Potato Salad Challenge, is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the Fremont Street Experience. Fifteen home cooks and competition teams will vie in an attempt to prove their potato prowess.

There also will be several ticketed events. Would-be certified food judges are invited to attend the EAT Judging Class from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the D Las Vegas, 301 Fremont St. Tickets are $95.

Bourbon, BBQ &Banjos is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. More than 50 pro barbecue teams will compete to the sounds of live music. A people’s choice favorite will be chosen. Tickets are $25.

The Downtown Chili Throwdown, from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, will pit 50 chili cooks in a battle for bowl o’red royalty. Tickets, which include food demonstrations and chef challenges, are $25.

The nine category champions will be celebrated at Cocktails and Champions from 8 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Pizza Rock, 201 N. Third St. Tickets, which include a menu prepared by 11-time World Pizza Champion (and Pizza Rock chef/owner) Tony Gemignani, are $50.

The champions also will be honored at Champions for a Cause from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. The red-carpet event with food by local restaurants will benefit the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Tickets are $150.

The World Chef Challenge, a tournament-style competition among 21 chefs, will run Friday through Sunday at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. Tickets are $5.

A VIF — Very Important Foodie — all-access pass is $275.

For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldFoodChampionships.com.

Contact reporter Heidi Knapp Rinella at hrinella@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0474.