Chef Jonathan Burns Wins Gold at the Harvest Table Regional ACE Competition

Deacon Dining’s very own Chef Jonathan Burns has brought home the gold! After months of preparation, he competed against nine other top chefs from across the country in the Harvest Table Regional ACE Competition, held at Elon University. Each chef had just one hour to craft four identical plates using only one whole chicken and a general pantry. With the American Culinary Federation judging every detail, the competition was intense, but Chef Burns’ skill, creativity, and precision earned him the top spot!

A proud North Carolina native, Chef Burns has dedicated his career to the art of cooking. Trained at a local ACF culinary school, his journey has taken him from tending traditional BBQ pits to preparing multi-course meals for celebrities. Now, as Culinary Director at Wake Forest, he champions responsible sourcing, prioritizing third-party certified products, and partnering with sustainably operating small-scale farmers to build trust and transparency in the origins of our food.

The journey isn’t over yet! This July, Chef Burns will take his talents to the national stage at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, CA. We’ll be cheering him on every step of the way and can’t wait to see him represent Wake Forest on this incredible platform.

Join us in celebrating Chef Burns’ outstanding achievement! His dedication to the craft and commitment to conscious cooking continues to inspire us all!