Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts Welcomes State’s Best Young Chefs for Annual Competition

The Tennessee State Junior Chef Competition brought together top high school culinary teams from across the state on March 6, 2026, at The Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts on Nashville State Community College’s Southeast campus.

The competition challenges students to create inventive, National School Lunch Program–compliant recipes featuring locally sourced ingredients.

“Nashville State’s Southeast campus and The Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts are honored to host this competition once again so young culinary talent can shine,” said Jamica Hines, Southeast campus director, who noted the importance of this event in shaping future culinary leaders.

“Every year, these students impress us with their skill, teamwork, and creativity. Events like this help shape the next generation of culinary leaders, and we’re proud to play a role in their journey.”

This is the fourth year the event has been held at Nashville State’s Southeast campus. The Tennessee Junior Chef Competition is made possible by partnerships with the Tennessee Department of Education’s School Nutrition Program, the Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts at Nashville State Community College, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, A. Marshall Hospitality, and Sullivan University.

During the competition, each team’s dish is evaluated by expert judges. Scholarships were given to the top three teams. The first-place winner will be eligible to advance to the Southeast Region Junior Chef Competition, where the top team from each state in the region will compete for additional scholarship funding.

The winners of the 2026 competition are:

• 1^st Place: Cherokee High School (Hawkins County Schools)
  • Scholarship to The Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts or Scholarship to Sullivan University
  • Advance to the Southeast regional Junior Chef competition
• 2^nd Place: Coffee County Central High School (Coffee County Schools)
  • Scholarship to Sullivan University
• 3^rd Place: Warren County High School (Warren County Schools)
  • Scholarship to Sullivan University

Teams:

• Cascade High School (Bedford County Schools)
  • Dish: Honey BBQ Chicken
• Coffee County Central High School (Coffee County Schools)
  • Dish: Teriyaki Pork Chops
• North River Future Ready Center (Hamilton County Schools)
  • Dish: BBQ Chicken Grilled Cheese
• Cherokee High School (Hawkins County Schools)
  • Dish: Naan Stop Fusion
• East Hickman High School (Hickman County Schools)
  • Dish: Chicken Curry
• Peabody High School (Trenton Special School District)
  • Dish: “Forbidden” Rice Kabob
• Warren County High School (Warren County Schools)
  • Dish: Blackened Catfish

Judges:

• Chef Jennefer Smart, Mid Cumberland-West regional nutrition consultant, Tennessee Department of Education
• Chef Patricia Marzella, educator and consultant
• Chef Ryan Yarnell, account manager and culinary specialist, Rebellyous Foods