From YouthUp, Inc.- YouthUp, Inc. will hold its third annual Celebrity Chef Cook-Off this Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lizzie Chapel Baptist Church, located at 1180 Bartlett Street in west Macon.

This fundraiser affords teens who are members of YouthUp’s Youth Leadership Council the opportunity to learn community engagement skills and helps them practice leadership skills through peer-to-peer mentoring. Youth serve food, wait tables and clean up after the event and are also able to mingle with community leaders, business owners and professionals who may open doors of opportunity for them.

Each year, a chef theme is offered to attendees, and this Saturday is no different. Following Community Leader chefs the first year and all Macon Pastors last year, this year promises even more amazing food as the theme is all Personal/Professional chefs or Caterers. Chefs from Famous Mike’s of Macon, S&S Cafeterias, H&H Soul Food, Fincher’s BBQ, Kobi Catering and Tommy’s Bakery will compete against Personal Chefs Sgt. DeAndre Hall of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and Officer William Jones of the Board of Education Campus Police. YouthUp has also secured the culinary talents of Dr. Steven Jones, Executive Officer at the Board of Education, as our Community Leader, who is NOT a professional chef but will attempt to take an award home.

Attendees pay $20 to sample all 9 dishes and then vote, by secret ballot, for their favorite. On the menu this year (in no particular order) is Twisted Crack Chicken, Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Baked Beans with Sausage and Ground Beef, Seafood Gravy with Rice, Champion’s Chicken Salad, Cheese Grits, Mini Sweet Potato Pies, and Beef Tips over Rice. YouthUp also provides bread and butter at every table; tea, lemonade and waters; and dessert. No one goes away hungry so come on out and enjoy an exciting time and some delicious food this weekend!