HMSHost, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation, hosts Channel Your Inner Chef at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, an innovative multi-phase cooking contest that spotlights local flavors and diverse culinary talent while celebrating HMSHost’s sponsorship of the James Beard Awards. The competition solicits culinary talent nationwide and has helped showcase the amazing range and diversity of aspiring chefs found throughout the country. Five finalists are selected among video entries received to win a trip to Chicago to compete in the live cooking showdown event in front of an audience and a panel of judges right inside of Chicago O’Hare's Terminal 2.

The winning dish is featured on the menu of an HMSHost-operated restaurant at O’Hare for all travelers to enjoy. The grand prize winner also receives two roundtrip airline tickets for a flight within the continental U.S. and a VIP trip for two to attend the annual James Beard Awards Gala in Chicago.

Channel Your Inner Chef uncovers hidden culinary talent during the unscripted 30-minute cook-off where anything could happen. In front of an audience of travelers, airport and airline employees, and Chicago personalities, the chefs turn up the heat and whip up an array of creative dishes using the fresh ingredients provided to them.

Check out the video of the 2019 competition below: