Celebrating Culinary Excellence: 2026 Harvest Table ACE Competition

And the winner of the 2026 Harvest Table Culinary Group ACE Competition is…

Drum roll, please…

Chef Jonathan Burns from Wake Forest University!

This marks Chef Jonathan’s second consecutive gold medal win, an incredible achievement that reflects both his talent and dedication. Last year, he earned first place in the Harvest Table competition and went on to represent Wake Forest in Napa, ultimately qualifying for the National Competition in Philadelphia. We’re excited to cheer him on as he takes that journey again this year!

We also extend our sincere thanks to the ten talented chefs who traveled from across state lines to compete here at Wake Forest. Their creativity, passion, and culinary skill made this year’s competition truly exceptional.

2026 HTCG ACE Competition Results

1st Place: Chef Jonathan Burns — Wake Forest University, NC
2nd Place: Chef Christian Velazquez — Springfield College, MA
3rd Place: Chef Chunlee Tith — High Point, NC

We are incredibly proud of every chef who stepped into the kitchen and showcased their craft. Congratulations to all for an outstanding competition!