Future youth chefs to compete @ A Taste of Chamblee Oct. 18

September 24, 2025 — The flavors of the future will be on full display at this year’s A Taste of Chamblee, as the festival brings back its highly anticipated youth culinary competition spotlighting the next generation of chefs on Saturday, Oct. 18. The festival will be held in downtown Chamblee.

The City of Chamblee is continuing its partnership with the Navigate Foundation and C.H.E.F. Academy to provide a “taco themed” youth culinary competition sponsored by Talpa Supermercados.

Three teams of students will compete to prepare an international dish with a “taco twist” in front of a live audience. Attendees will witness young culinary artists put their skills to the test, get a taste of their unique skills, and vote for their favorite team. A panel of local chefs and community leaders will judge the entries based on taste, presentation, and originality. Winners will be awarded prizes and recognized during the festival.

“We are proud to select our most talented culinary students to compete on the Taste of Chamblee stage for the second year, building their confidence and skill through this incredible competition,” said Adeola Sokunbi, director of Strategic Partnerships & Operations for the Navigate Foundation. 

“Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, this event not only celebrates culture and culinary excellence but also helps raise vital funds for the continued growth of Navigate Foundation’s workforce development programs.”

Women-founded and minority-owned, Navigate is a workforce development initiative that offers program options for professional development, training and inroads to sustainable job placement. C.H.E.F. Academy builds on the mission of the Navigate Foundation by also providing professional development for adults, while also serving the broader community, providing food product research and development, catering services, hosting cooking classes, and curating private events. To learn more about both organizations, visit thenavigateprogram.org and chefacademyatl.com.

This year, the competition is sponsored by Talpa Supermercados which is located on Buford Highway at Plaza Fiesta. New to the City of Chamblee, the Hispanic grocery store opened its doors in April 2025 inside the largest Hispanic shopping mall in Georgia, Plaza Fiesta. Founded in 2000, the grocery store is known for its authentic selection of fresh produce, meats, and international food products from Central and South America. The Chamblee location features a full-service bakery, taqueria with hot food, and departments for fresh meat and produce. 

The Youth Culinary Competition is embedded in A Taste of Chamblee, a beloved tradition attracting more than 5,000 food and craft lovers who are eager to sample culinary creations from local chefs and discovering one-of-a-kind handmade items.

 This year’s event has something for everyone, including a Wine Down Tent with live performances, a Kids Zone, and a fan-filled beer garden with the ACC/SEC games on the big screens. To get a bite, RFID wristbands, powered by Billfold, will be available before and during the event for food and beverage purchases. Additionally, all vendors will accept cashless payments.

 To see a list of vendors and for more information, visit www.tasteofchamblee.net.

Pictured: Youth Culinary Competition in 2024 at A Taste of Chamblee. Last year’s theme was “Georgia On My Mind,” where students prepared an international dish with a Georgia spin using peaches, peanuts, or beef. Photos via City of Chamblee.