THE WAIT IS OVER…
watch the crowning moment!
The Road to the Crown has come to an end, bringing the 2026 Crave Competition: Tournament of Champions to a thrilling close at ANC Charlotte.
After an incredible competition, the final results were remarkably close. Every finalist brought bold creativity and outstanding flavor to the competition, making this one of our closest finishes yet.
Watch the video to see who earned the crown!
The Finalists
Who's Competing
We’re inviting the top two contestants from each of the past four years (2022–2025) to return and battle it out in our inaugural Tournament of Champions. Each selected district will receive a J.T.M. Crave Sample Kit featuring a variety of J.T.M. products to inspire their next crave-able creation. Contestants must use at least 2 of the products provided in the kit in their recipe creation.
Over the years, districts across the country have amazed us with their creativity and culinary skill.
Now, it’s time to see which team will rise to the top and earn the title of Crave Champion!
The Contestants
The top contestants from 2022–2025 were invited to participate, and these districts accepted the challenge.
- Coppell ISD, TX
- North Crawford SD, WI
- Palm Beach, FL
- Pickens County, SC
- Ridley SD, PA
- Roane County, TN
- Seneca R – 7, MO
- Troup County, GA
How It Works
- Contest Sample Kits Delivered: Week of December 8, 2025
- Recipe Development Window: Schools will have 8 weeks to create a new recipe using at least two J.T.M. products provided, along with ingredients already stocked in their kitchens.
- Submission Deadline: January 30, 2026
- Contestants will be provided with a link to an online form to submit their recipes.
- Each recipe submission must include:
- Ingredient list
- Preparation instructions
- Meal components
- High-quality photo of the finished dish
Judging Criteria
Criteria
Points
Crave-ability
10
Unique & Creativity
10
Ease of Prep & Service
5
Visual Appeal
5
Nutritional Profile
5
Use of Fruits and/or Vegetables
5
Let’s Celebrate Crave Creativity Together!
Get ready for the ultimate Crave showdown!
Over the past five years, schools across the nation have created hundreds of crave-worthy dishes that inspire students every day. Now, we’re bringing the best of the best together for a culinary celebration unlike any other. We can’t wait to see what our Crave Champions cook up next!
Crave Blasts from the past
2025 Crave Recap
2024 Crave Recap
2023 Crave Recap
2022 Crave Recap
2025 Recipe Book
2024 Recipe Book
2023 Recipe Book
2022 Recipe Book
If you have questions or need any additional information, please reach out to Amy McAdams:
Amy McAdams | Sr. Director, Education Marketing
amymcadams@jtmfoodgroup.com
C: 513.212.2217