A variety of chefs took home awards in YouthUp, Inc.’s third annual Celebrity Chef Cook-Off on May 3, 2025. The 1st place prize went to Officer William Jones of the Board of Education Campus Police for his Champion’s Chicken Salad; 2nd place went to Gibran Stephens of Kobi Catering with Beef Tips over Rice, and 3rd place was awarded to Daniel Sullivan, Manager of S&S Cafeteria in Macon, for his Twisted Crack Chicken.
Held at Lizzie Chapel Baptist Church (Rev. Ronald Toney as Pastor), this year’s event was themed as Personal/Professional Chef or Caterers. Eight chefs competed including our prize winners in addition to Mike Seekins, Owner of Famous Mike’s of Macon (Beef Brisket); Shurrod and Joi Dickey, Owners of Tommy’s Bakery (Mini Sweet Potato Pies); Sgt DeAndre Hall of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office (Baked Beans w/Ground Beef and Sausage); Tangee Myers, H&H Soul Food (Cheese Grits); and Dr. Steve Jones, Bibb County Board of Education (Seafood Gravy over Rice). “I’m so glad I don’t get to vote in this competition,” said YouthUp board member Larry Bond, Jr. “Every dish was amazing!”
Seven members of the Youth Leadership Council worked the event performing tasks such as serving food, refilling drinks and clearing tables. Proceeds from the event help to provide for the teens’ Youth Rally, held each October during Fall Break from school.
“We are deeply grateful for the sponsorships of Sam’s Club of Macon, United Community Church, and Atrium Health Navicent, by which the Cook-Off was made possible,” said Executive Director Amanda Smith. “We also humbly acknowledge that our event was amazingly smooth and successful due to the hard work of our board members; our teens and their parents; and especially the Lizzie Chapel kitchen staff.”
