Top U.S. Chefs Face Off in Prestigious Copper Skillet Cook-Off at Windrose on Hudson


Hudson Valley foodies, get ready for some serious culinary heat. On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Windrose on Hudson will host the highly anticipated U.S. Copper Skillet Cook-Off 2025 in partnership with International Association of Conference Centers (IACC).

For the first time, the public is invited to attend this high-stakes competition, where top chefs from across the country will battle for the title of U.S. Junior and Senior Copper Skillet Champion — and you can watch every sizzling second.


🔥 Event Details

  • 📅 Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025

  • 🕓 Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM

  • 📍 Location: Windrose on Hudson, Ossining, NY

  • 🎟️ Admission: Complimentary (includes light bites)

  • 🍸 Bonus: Cash bar + live music, curated cocktails & craft beer at River Fox Lounge after the competition.

To reserve your spot, email Suzanne.Smith@pyramidglobal.com.


👨‍🍳 Meet the Competitors

This year’s lineup includes top culinary talent from IACC member venues, including:

  • Hashim Bulbulia, Sous Chef at Chauncey Hotel & Conference Center (Princeton, NJ)

  • Ethan Green and Mark Heximer from Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center (College Station, TX)

More chef competitors will be announced soon — so expect an impressive roster of culinary stars.


🧂 Inside the Competition

This is no ordinary cook-off. Chefs will face a mystery basket of ingredients, including multiple proteins, and must:

  • 🕒 Plan in just 15 minutes

  • 🔥 Cook and plate in 30 minutes

  • 🍽️ Deliver a creative, delicious, and sustainable dish

Judges will score based on:

  • Presentation and portion

  • Culinary technique

  • Flavor and texture

  • Innovation and practicality

  • Food safety

  • Sustainability and waste reduction


🏆 A Celebration of Culinary Creativity

“This competition is more than a cook-off—it’s a platform to recognize the chefs who transform meeting and event dining into memorable and meaningful experiences,” said Doug McLain, Senior Director of Brand and Marketing at Windrose on Hudson.

Expect fast-paced cooking, bold flavors, and plenty of drama as chefs race the clock to impress the judges.


✨ About the Hosts

Windrose on Hudson

Located just 45 minutes from NYC, Windrose on Hudson is a reimagined destination for meetings, retreats, weddings, and events. With 62 scenic acres, 248 guest rooms, and award-winning culinary programming, it’s fast becoming a Hudson Valley hotspot.

IACC

Founded in 1981, IACC represents the best-in-class meeting and conference venues around the globe — more than 400 across 25 countries — and is dedicated to advancing hospitality excellence.


📬 How to Attend

Admission is free, but space is limited.
📧 RSVP: Suzanne.Smith@pyramidglobal.com

Come hungry, leave inspired — and maybe a little starstruck.