★ Presented by Mom Your Business × Katika ★

Philly, What Do You Want to Taste?

Philadelphia's premier culinary pitch competition. Three exclusive neighborhood tastings lead to a grand finale at 2300 Arena, where the city's next great food entrepreneur takes home $5,000 and the title.

Apply to Compete Get Your Tickets
this isn't your average food festival

The Neighborhoods Pick
the Finalists.

Three exclusive qualifying tastings roll through North Philly, Old City, and West Philly. Community members taste, vote, and decide who advances. Then 15-20 finalists bring their best to 2300 Arena for the grand finale — celebrity judges, audience choice voting, $5,000 on the line.

15-20 Finalists

Selected through the Qualifying Tasting Tour. The neighborhoods picked them — now they compete for the title.

$5,000 Grand Prize

Cash on the line at 2300 Arena — plus business coaching through MYB's Fractional Executive Program.

Celebrity Judges & Crowd

Pro panel scoring meets live audience-choice voting. Every vote counts in front of 200-500 attendees.

All Philly, All Day

Every chef, every vendor, every performer — born and based in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.

from the neighborhood to the main stage

How It Works.

Four steps from your kitchen to the 2300 Arena main stage.

1

Apply

Submit your application online. Tell us who you are, what you cook, and why Philly needs to taste your food.

2

Qualify

Selected applicants are invited to one of three exclusive Tasting Tour stops. Cook your signature dish and earn your spot.

3

Compete

15-20 finalists go head-to-head at 2300 Arena before celebrity judges and a live Philadelphia audience.

4

Win

$5,000 grand prize, business coaching through MYB, and the title of Philly's next great food entrepreneur.

a taste of the action

Scenes From the Showdown.

Crowd favorites, signature plates, and the kind of food shots that make your stomach growl.

philly, what do you want to taste?

The Qualifying Tasting Tour.

Before the main event, we're bringing the Showdown directly to the neighborhoods. Three exclusive tastings. Three communities. One question.

Stop 01

West Philadelphia

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Venue TBD — kicking off the Tour in West Philly, home to some of the city's boldest food voices.

Stop 02

North Philadelphia

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Progress Plaza Day at North Philly Welcome Center — the neighborhoods that built Philly's food scene take the mic.

Stop 03

Old City

Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Link · 213 Arch Street — the final qualifying stop before the finalists head to 2300 Arena.

Tasting Tour stops are exclusive, curated events. Space is limited. Attendance details announced through MYB and Katika platforms.

more than a trophy

What You Win.

Cash, coaching, and citywide recognition as Philadelphia's next great food entrepreneur.

★ GRAND PRIZE Champion
$5K

Awarded on the main stage at 2300 Arena. Cash, the title, and a launchpad into Philly's food economy.

2nd Place
TBD

Funded through sponsor contributions. Naming opportunities available for partners.

3rd Place
TBD

Funded through sponsor contributions. Naming opportunities available for partners.

ALL

Every finalist gets more than a moment on stage.

All finalists earn access to MYB's Fractional Executive Program and one-on-one business coaching — because the competition is just the beginning.

exhibition schedule

Pop-Up Events

All Events +
Qualifying Stop 01Wed · Sep 16
Philly, What Do You Want to Taste?West Philly kicks off the Tasting Tour. Community members vote on who advances.
West PhillyFeatured competitors
TBDWest Philadelphia
→
Qualifying Stop 02Sat · Sep 19
Progress Plaza DayNorth Philly steps up at the Welcome Center — the neighborhoods that built the food scene.
North PhillyFeatured competitors
Welcome CenterProgress Plaza · N. Philly
→
Qualifying Stop 03Sat · Sep 26
Philly, What Do You Want to Taste?The final qualifier — Old City chooses the last batch of finalists.
Old CityFeatured competitors
The Link213 Arch Street
→
Grand FinaleSat · Oct 24
Philly Chef Showdown 202615-20 finalists, celebrity judges, $5,000 on the line. Doors 12-6 PM.
2300 ArenaThe Main Event
South Philly2300 S Swanson St
→
when & where

The Grand Finale.

📅

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Doors 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

📍

2300 Arena

2300 S Swanson St, Philadelphia, PA 19148
South Philly · Indoor & outdoor

🎟️

200-500 Attendees

General admission and VIP available. Kids under 10 are free.

Get Your Tickets
★ Save the Date ★
OCTOBER
24
two-thousand twenty-six
12 PM – 6 PM
2300 Arena · South Philly
General Admission
$40per ticket · food tickets included
  • Food tickets included to sample dishes at competitor tables
  • All-day tasting access
  • Live judging & audience-choice voting
  • Music, vendors, & programming
  • Kids under 10 free
Get GA Tickets
★ Most Coveted ★ VIP Experience
$85per ticket · 1 admit
  • Early entry before doors open
  • Reserved seating
  • Curated gift bag
  • Meet & greet with our celebrity guest host
Reserve VIP
about the organizers

Presented by MYB × Katika.

Two Philadelphia-rooted organizations co-producing the Showdown to invest in the entrepreneurs powering the city's food economy.

Mom Your Business

Capital, capacity, connections.

A Philadelphia-based nonprofit accelerating the growth of entrepreneurs through access to capital, capacity-building, and meaningful connections. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Germantown.

momyourbusiness.com →
~2,000
Entrepreneurs Served
$500K+
Capital Raised
2017
Founded in Germantown
Katika

Discover Philadelphia's Black businesses.

Philadelphia's premier Black business discovery platform, connecting conscious consumers to trusted local businesses through an AI-powered mobile app. Founded by Jason M. Coles.

katika.us →
AI
Discovery Platform
Philly
Built & Based
Commerce
Community & Culture