Flavor Play at Its Finest

Recipe ideation is the name of the professional game for chefs and menu developers working in high-volume foodservice. And while such flavor play might be considered a part of the daily grind, it seems that most chefs still have a healthy appetite for using their free time to participate in creative culinary challenges like Kitchen Collaborative.

Since its launch in 2020 by Flavor & The Menu and Summit Food & Beverage, the Kitchen Collaborative program has produced hundreds of craveable concepts—and with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Dubai and Gulfood 2026 in play, the revamped 2025 iteration raised the stakes, and the results, to new heights. Participating chefs submitted more than 500 entries featuring one or more products from 11 sponsors.

Twelve of these menu concepts rose to the top after a blind judging by sponsor teams. From hearty breakfasts to decadent desserts and from small bites to composed entrées—with the influences of global flavors ever-present—the winners are a showcase of culinary craft at its finest. Profiles of these dishes and the talented chefs who created them are well worth a second look:

Joseph Antosiak: Bacon and Bleu Sushi
Sponsor: BelGioioso Cheese, Inc.

Melodie Beal Cary: Red Lentil Socca with Crispy Agave Rosemary Lamb and Red Lentil Chili Crisp
Sponsor: Libbey

Timothy Conklin: Triple Chocolate Sriracha Empanadas
Sponsor: Lee Kum Kee

Denise Covert: Gochujang-Glazed Bacon in Fried Chiu Chow Chili Bao Buns
Sponsor: Tyson Foodservice

Christopher Delissio: Togarashi-Crusted Watermelon with Spicy Hoisin-Honey Chili Crunch Sauce & Pickled Watermelon Rind
Sponsor: National Watermelon Promotion Board

Thomas Dritsas: Aussie Select Lamb Ham & Halloumi Pintxos
Sponsor: Aussie Select

Lisa Feldman: JenJen Ziti
Sponsor: Barilla for Professionals

Claire Jessen: California Baked Brie & Apricot French Toast
Sponsor: Real California Milk

Nathaniel Malone: Chaat Lentil Waffle with Tikka Lamb Ham
Sponsor: Lentils.org

Jeffrey Quasha: Salted Caramel Peach Chili Crisp Crumble Cookie
Sponsor: Lee Kum Kee

Kevin Ripley: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cannoli
Sponsor: Otis Spunkmeyer

Tiffany Sawyer: Grilled Plums with Basil-Lemon Shortbread Biscuit & Hoisin Sabayon
Sponsor: Kikkoman

Following the enormous success of Kitchen Collaborative 2025, the program is returning for 2026, this time with the support of 12 sponsoring organizations. A baker’s dozen of winners will earn bragging rights and a Flavor & The Menu profile, along with a special culinary excursion to Mendoza, Argentina.

Chef sign-ups for Kitchen Collaborative 2026 are expected to begin in mid-December, with space available for 100 chefs working in high-volume foodservice operations. Click here for details.

Flavor & The Menu and Summit thank the 2025 sponsors and salute all the chef participants for their passion and expertise. The 2026 program awaits!