Youth Agri-food Culinary Challenge

Hosted by the SAIT School of Hospitality & Tourism in partnership with the Calgary Stampede, this new, two-day competition brings together youth participants to learn essential culinary skills and explore agri-food concepts, then put them to the test through exciting individual and team-based challenges. The Youth Agri-Food Culinary Challenge will inspire and equip the next generation of culinary leaders with skills rooted in sustainability, creativity, and local food culture. The event will also create opportunities for mentorship, community connection, and exposure to Alberta’s vibrant food systems, while celebrating local producers and sustainable food practices.

The Youth Agri-food Culinary Challenge will be a two-day competition open to students in grades 10-12 and will take place at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada’s #1 Hospitality and Tourism post-secondary institution. The inaugural challenge is scheduled for June 13-14, 2026.

Participants will be awarded with cash and prizes for taking part in this experience and testing their abilities in a competitive but encouraging environment. 

Registration is NOW OPEN and will close May 29, 2026. A maximum of 40 participants will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Once the capacity is reached, additional registrants will be wait-listed and contacted in order of submission if a spot becomes available. No formal culinary training is required!