What VooDoo Chef Foundation does

The VooDoo Chef Foundation is a Florida-domiciled non-profit organization established in 2017 by chef and culinary educator Erik Youngs ("VooDoo Chef"), operating in the Greater Tampa Bay area to address three interconnected needs: financial barriers to culinary education, food insecurity among local families, and the foodservice industry's demand for trained talent. Its programmatic portfolio spans four areas: scholarships (with cumulative awards exceeding $100,000 since inception, including the Naomi Tidwell Scholarship), structured education and mentorship delivered through partnerships with Hillsborough County Public Schools, Erwin Technical College, and Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts, a series of recurring student competitions (VooDoo Chef Underground high school cook-off, High School Recipe Challenge, Baking & Pastry Challenge), and annual community food assistance reaching more than 3,000 Tampa Bay families. The foundation has 5 employees and no technology platform or proprietary software; its competitive programming is delivered through in-person events, partner-hosted competitions, and a small media footprint (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, RHStv broadcast).

The foundation's revenue model is a non-profit mix of donations, corporate sponsorships, and ticketed fundraising events. Corporate sponsors include First Watch (presenting sponsor of the Signature Chef Dinner and Charity Golf Tournament), Euro-Bake USA (presenting sponsor of the 7th Annual VooDoo Bash Burger Competition), Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts, Alessi Bakeries, Lantmännen Unibake USA, Schulstad USA, Monster Energy, Tweeds Tampa, the U.S. Coast Guard Tampa station, and The Cake Girl. Ticketed events span a $40-$600 price range across Burger Bash general/VIP tickets, the $150 Signature Chef Dinner, and the Gasparilla Parade Float Experience two-pack and four-pack offerings. Additional recurring programs include the Charity Golf Tournament, the Icon Awards (new in 2026), and continued participation in Tampa's Gasparilla parade. Distribution is exclusively regional (Greater Tampa Bay), with no indication of geographic expansion beyond this footprint. The foundation operates without a parent company, without disclosed funding rounds, and without subsidiaries, relying on event-driven and community-led go-to-market motions executed by a five-person team and a network of volunteer and partner support.

Name

VooDoo Chef Foundation

Legal name

VooDoo Chef Foundation

Website

https://voodoocheffoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VooDoo Chef Foundation is a 501(c)-style non-profit founded in 2017 in Tampa Bay, Florida, that awards culinary scholarships, runs student competitions, and provides community food assistance to aspiring foodservice students and low-income families in Greater Tampa Bay.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Culinary Education Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training) (EDAOAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bread & Artisan Baking (EDAOAKAC), Patisserie & Confectionery (Chocolate/Sugar Arts) (EDAOAKAD), Cooking Classes & Chef-Led Workshops (THAJAGAI), Culinary Skills Workshops (Baking, Regional Cooking, Food Prep Skills) (THAJAKAE)

Keywords

• Culinary scholarships
• Culinary education programs
• Community food assistance
• Charity fundraising events
• Student culinary competitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa Bay

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The foundation raises funds through individual donations and corporate sponsorships from foodservice and hospitality businesses. Sponsors like First Watch, Euro-Bake USA, and others support events in exchange for brand visibility at the foundation's culinary competitions and community events.
2. Event Revenue: Ticketed fundraising events including the VooDoo Bash Burger Competition ($40-$200 per ticket), Signature Chef Dinner ($150), and Gasparilla parade float experiences generate direct event revenue to support scholarship programs.
3. Scholarship Endowment: The foundation administers scholarship funds awarded to culinary students, with the Naomi Tidwell Scholarship and general culinary scholarship programs providing financial support to students pursuing careers in the foodservice and hospitality industry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

VooDoo Chef Foundation is a nonprofit organization that awards culinary scholarships, delivers education and mentorship programs, and provides community food assistance in the Greater Tampa Bay area. It funds these programs through signature fundraising events, culinary competitions, donations, and corporate sponsorships, while connecting aspiring culinary students with industry partners and employment opportunities.

Product overview

VooDoo Chef Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2017 (with roots dating to 2002) that operates as a unified platform for culinary education and community support in Tampa Bay. The foundation's core offerings include culinary scholarships exceeding $100,000 awarded to date, education and mentorship programs, foodservice training, and community outreach serving over 3,000 families annually. The organization runs multiple competitive programs including the annual VooDoo Bash Burger Competition, VooDoo Chef Underground high school culinary competition, VooDoo Chef High School Recipe Challenge, Baking & Pastry Challenge, and Signature Chef Dinner: A Taste to Remember. Additional events include the Charity Golf Tournament and participation in Gasparilla Parade. The foundation also recognizes industry leaders through its Icon Awards program and provides employment assistance to students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Culinary Scholarships Financial scholarships awarded to students in need pursuing careers in the Foodservice & Hospitality industry, including the Naomi Tidwell Scholarship program. Over $100,000 in total scholarships have been awarded to date.
• Education & Mentorship Programs Structured training and mentorship programs where students receive detailed training, rigorous hands-on work, and traditional education courses as they grow in the culinary field. Delivered through high school visits, technical college partnerships, and one-on-one mentorship.
• Foodservice Training Training and education programs that help students develop the necessary industry-related skills to further their careers in the foodservice industry.
• Employment Assistance Career support services helping students find employment opportunities regardless of their chosen culinary path after completing foundation programs.
• Community Outreach Food Assistance Annual food assistance program providing meals for over 3,000 families in Tampa Bay, supporting low-income community members through regular access to nutritious meals.
• VooDoo Bash Burger Competition Annual burger food fight competition and ticketed fundraising event where chefs compete to create unique burgers, with proceeds supporting culinary scholarships. Tasting tickets ($40) and VIP tickets ($200) available.
• VooDoo Chef Underground Competition High school culinary competition featuring teams competing in a single-elimination cook-off across preliminaries, semi-finals, and finals, with winners receiving scholarships. Hosted at Erwin Technical College and Eaton Marketing Test Kitchen.
• VooDoo Chef High School Recipe Challenge Annual competition where high school students across Florida create VooDoo-inspired dishes using VooDoo Chef sauces and seasonings to win culinary scholarships. Presented by Keiser University Center for Culinary Arts.
• VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge Student competition testing baking skills from quick breads and cookies to choux pastry and custom-composed desserts, with scholarship prizes. Judged by industry professionals. Presented by The Cake Girl.
• VooDoo Chef Foundation Icon Awards Annual awards ceremony celebrating individuals whose passion, dedication, and impact have shaped the foodservice and hospitality industry, honoring chefs, educators, mentors, and leaders.
• Signature Chef Dinner: A Taste to Remember Tampa Bay's upscale tasting event hosted by Chef Erik Youngs, featuring bold bites from local chefs, live music, and riverfront views at Tampa River Center. Ticketed at $150 per ticket. Presented by First Watch.
• VooDoo Chef Charity Golf Tournament Annual charity golf tournament with 'best ball' format featuring food, drinks, and competition culminating in a final hole playoff. Presented by First Watch.
• Children's Gasparilla Parade Float Experience Reserved seating aboard the VooDoo Chef Foundation Float during Tampa's annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest parades, including food, beverages, live music, face painting, and photos. Two-pack ($350) and Family Four-Pack ($600) options available.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Keiser University Center for Culinary ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKeiser University serves as the presenting sponsor for the VooDoo Chef High School Recipe Challenge and as a primary educational partner. The partnership provides scholarship opportunities for winners and supports the foundation's mission of developing future culinary professionals in the Tampa Bay area.
• Euro-Bake USAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEuro-Bake USA is the presenting sponsor of the VooDoo Bash Burger Competition (7th Annual), providing product support including specialty buns (Charcoal Buns) for the event and brand visibility at one of the foundation's flagship fundraising events.
• First WatchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst Watch is the presenting sponsor for the Signature Chef Dinner: A Taste to Remember and the VooDoo Chef Charity Golf Tournament. As a major daytime restaurant brand, First Watch's sponsorship provides significant brand credibility and financial support for foundation scholarship programs.
• Erwin Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErwin Technical College hosts the VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge and serves as the venue for preliminary and semi-final rounds of the VooDoo Underground competition. The partnership provides access to professional culinary training facilities for student competitions.
• Hillsborough County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation operates within the seventh-largest school district in the nation. Founder Erik Youngs works as a full-time culinary educator in Hillsborough County, providing direct access to the student pipeline and institutional credibility for foundation programs.
• Eaton Marketing Test KitchensecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Eaton Marketing Test Kitchen in Clearwater, Florida serves as the venue for the VooDoo Chef Foundation Icon Awards and the Finals of the VooDoo Underground high school culinary competition, providing a professional test kitchen environment for student events.
• Tweeds TampaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTweeds Tampa provides tailored attire sponsorship for the VooDoo Bash Burger Competition, adding a styling element to the foundation's rock-and-roll themed fundraising events.
• Alessi BakeriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlessi Bakeries, a Tampa-based bakery, supports the foundation as a sponsor and employer of foundation scholarship recipients. Owner Phil Alessi is a documented supporter who has provided testimonials about the foundation's impact on Tampa Bay students.
• RHStvminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRHStv provides television and digital media coverage for foundation events including the Baking & Pastry Challenge and Icon Awards, airing content on their website to expand the foundation's reach beyond in-person attendees.
• Monster EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMonster Energy provides beverage sponsorship for foundation events including the Gasparilla Pirate Fest parade float, supporting the foundation's community celebration activities.
• U.S. Coast Guard Tampa - Atlantic AreaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe U.S. Coast Guard Tampa station is listed as a sponsor of the VooDoo Chef Foundation, supporting the foundation's mission and community programs in the Tampa Bay area.
• Lantmännen Unibake USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLantmännen Unibake USA, an international baking company, is a listed sponsor of the VooDoo Chef Foundation, supporting culinary education programs and events.
• Schulstad USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSchulstad USA, a bakery and foodservice ingredient company, is a listed sponsor of the foundation, supporting fundraising events and culinary programs.
• The Cake GirlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Cake Girl is a presenting sponsor for the VooDoo Chef Baking & Pastry Challenge, supporting student pastry competitions and scholarship opportunities for baking and pastry arts students.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• James Beard Foundation: The James Beard Foundation runs culinary scholarships, chef recognition (Awards, similar to VooDoo's Icon Awards), and industry education programs, making it the most prominent peer in culinary nonprofit programming.
• Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP): C-CAP is a national nonprofit that provides scholarships, culinary competitions, and career opportunities for high school culinary students, directly mirroring VooDoo Chef Foundation's scholarship and competition model across multiple US cities.
• Auguste Escoffier Foundation: A nonprofit awarding culinary scholarships and supporting professional development for aspiring chefs, operating with a similar scholarship-and-mentorship model to VooDoo Chef Foundation.
• Les Dames d'Escoffier International: A nonprofit of women in the culinary world that provides scholarships, mentorship, and educational programming to support aspiring culinary professionals, paralleling VooDoo's student-development focus.

Regional players

• Metropolitan Ministries (Tampa): A Tampa-based nonprofit providing food assistance, housing, and education services to families in need, comparable to VooDoo Chef Foundation's community food and education programming in the same region.
• Feeding Tampa Bay: A Tampa Bay food bank providing community food assistance to thousands of families annually, overlapping directly with VooDoo's 3,000+ family food assistance program in the same geography.
• Hillsborough Education Foundation: A Tampa-area nonprofit providing scholarships and teacher support within Hillsborough County Public Schools, directly comparable as a school-district-anchored scholarship provider.

Emerging players

• GenYouth / Healthy Communities Foundation: A national nonprofit activating school communities around nutrition and culinary education, thematically aligned with VooDoo's school-district culinary education focus but operating through different mechanisms.

Broad incumbents

• Share Our Strength / No Kid Hungry: A national nonprofit addressing childhood food insecurity, overlapping with VooDoo's community food assistance pillar but at much greater scale and broader scope.
• Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Scholarship Programs: The CIA administers its own scholarship and tuition-aid programs for culinary students; while an educational institution rather than a pure nonprofit, it competes for the same scholarship capital and student pipeline as VooDoo Chef Foundation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VooDooChef13
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@VooDooChef
• Facebookfacebook.com/VooDooChefFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/voodoochef13
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/voodoocheffoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VooDoo Chef Foundation