On today’s show I sat down with Larry Dickerson, founder and director of Culinary Crossroads.

We discuss Indiana's ambition to become the culinary hub of America and the journey to bring the prestigious World Food Championships to Indianapolis.

Larry shares his experiences in promoting Indiana's culinary identity and the role of culinary excellence in boosting the state's tourism and local economy.

He also highlights the importance of community collaboration and the strategic steps taken from 2019 to 2024 to secure the World Food Championships, emphasizing Indiana’s culinary assets and potential.

You are going to learn about:

• Indiana’s Goal of Becoming America’s Culinary Hub

• How Culinary Excellence Boosts Tourism and the Local Economy

• Indiana’s Diverse Food Landscape

Thank you to our partners:
ClusterTruck (Use code INDY)
Indy Grills

Check out these great clips from the show:
00:00 Welcome to the Food Sports Capital of America
01:18 Guest Introduction: Larry Dickerson, Culinary Crossroads
02:56 Larry's Journey and Indiana's Culinary Scene
05:36 Tourism Promotion and Culinary Identity
13:17 Launching Culinary Crossroads
22:55 Bringing the World Food Championships to Indiana
31:36 Exciting Growth of the Event
31:47 What to Expect at the Fairgrounds
32:13 Inside the Competition
32:44 Spectator Experience
33:51 Indiana's Culinary Scene
35:05 Indiana's Agricultural Impact
36:42 Culinary Crossroads Initiative
39:56 Future Goals for Culinary Crossroads
42:58 Regional Culinary Variations
44:39 Fun Indiana Wrap-Up Questions
50:42 Hidden Gems