Cooper Sharp cheese to be the cheese of choice for the Burger Battle at the 2026 World Food Championships
October 12, 2026 | 2 min to read
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Cooper® Sharp announces its partnership with the World Food Championships (WFC) presented by Sam’s Club. More than 130 years of crafting the ideal unmistakably sharp flavored cheese that melts like a dream perfectly positions Cooper® to be the cheese of choice for chefs in the inaugural Burger Battle, which takes place on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Kitchen Arena at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.
Cooper® will offer its Cooper® Sharp White and Cooper® Sharp Black Pepper cheeses for the Burger Battle, which features over 30 competitors who will create up to 250 sliders each. Cooper® Sharp White and Black Pepper will serve as the exclusive cheese options for the Burger Battle, adding another layer of excitement to the competition. Its signature sharp flavor and exceptional meltability make Cooper® a welcome addition to any chef’s winning slider.
“This is a super exciting moment for the Cooper® brand because we are showcasing our signature cheeses to some of the best chefs in the world,” explained Lillian Sheets, associate brand manager. “We’re excited to see what burger creations these culinary experts can create using our unique flavors.”
WFC 2026 is the largest Food Sport competition in the world, bringing together more than 1,200 culinarians on 300+ teams who are watched by over 13,500 attendees. Taking place Oct. 15-18, 2026, in Indianapolis, WFC is a multi-day, live culinary event highlighting some of the world’s best cooks who compete for food, fame and fortune across ten categories. The winner has a chance to win the $400,000+ cash prize.
As a partner of WFC 2026, Cooper® Sharp will have a premier role throughout the championship. Cooper® cheese will be available through the competitor pantry, giving chefs from all ten categories the opportunity to use Cooper® in their dishes as they compete for category titles and the $400,000+ purse prize.
About Cooper® Sharp Cheese
Cooper® Sharp has been making taste buds happy since 1893. Known for its bold sharpness and unmistakable creamy texture, Cooper® Sharp is a standout on sandwiches, in recipes, or simply by the slice. Today, Cooper® Sharp continues to honor its Northeast heritage while expanding nationwide to bring great flavor to more tables than ever before.
About World Food Championships
The World Food Championships (WFC), recognized by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards as a “Best City Food Festival”, is the premier Food Sport competition globally. This multi-day, live culinary event highlights some of the world’s best cooks competing for food, fame and fortune across multiple categories. Each year, thousands of teams vie for a coveted Golden Ticket at official qualifiers to earn their spot at WFC. Since its debut in 2012, the event has attracted participants from nearly 40 countries and every state in the U.S. The 2026 WFC will take place October 15-18 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis.