Walter “Rick” Geise has won a spot in the World Open Chili Championship.

He is a machinist and tool maker by trade and originally learned to cook by helping his grandmother around the kitchen. His cooking skills were also greatly influenced by his wife Andreann and her family who were in the restaurant business.

Rick met his wife in 1984 while they were both still in high school. They shared a love of fishing, the outdoors and food. Andreann’s love of food and her father started her exciting journey in foodsport. She convinced Rick  to enter his first recipe contest, in which he took judges choice. He won a cash prize, a box of assorted cheeses and bragging rights since he beat out his wife for that win. Was it beginner’s luck? He is about to prove to her it was cooking skill and not luck that won him that prize. He competes for the first time in the World Food Championships (WFC) this year. She suggested he enter Taste of America, the contest that won him his Golden Ticket to WFC.

Chef Andreann Geise will be competing in sandwich.  This year’s competition marks the fourth time that she has competed at WFC. Her best finish came in 2016 when she placed fifth with her Bacon, Shrimp & Tomato Salad on Garlic Bacon Toast in the signature round of the Bacon category.

About the World Food Championships

The World Food Championships (WFC) is the highest stakes food competition in the world. This multi-day, live-event culinary competition showcases some of the world’s best cooking masters competing for food, fame and fortune in ten categories: Bacon, Barbecue, Burger, Chef, Chili, Dessert, Recipe, Sandwich, Seafood and Steak. In 2018, over 1,500 contestants on nearly 500 official teams from 42 American states and 12 countries competed. More than 20 million people have attended WFC or have seen it on national TV over the past seven years. The 2019 Main Event will be held in Dallas, Texas at Reunion Tower Lawn, Oct. 16-20, 2019.

Andreann Geise, local Myrtle Beach chef and food sport competitor, is accepting sponsors for her upcoming participation in the World food Championship in Dallas in October.  She will compete for the World Sandwich Championship, and category winners then compete for overall championship. She was a judge for the chili category at the championship in 2015 and has competed for the past three years. 

Sponsors are invited to contribute any dollar amount or product related to the competition.  Sponsors receive immediate recognition on social media, continuing weekly mention until the event and daily coverage during the competition. Included for the sponsor are photos or links to the product or service. A food item or related product may be considered for use during the actual event. A patch on the chef jacket or apron also may be supplied with the top level of sponsorship.

Geise began her food sport with her win on the hometown favorite episode of Ultimate Recipe Showdown on the Food Network and has since appeared on the Cooking Channel, Fox Sports South, the Sportsman Table, A & E Network and Discovery Network. She has shared the stage with celebrity chefs including Guy Fieri, Aaron McCargo, Jr. and Fabio Viviani. She is a South Carolina Barbecue Association ambassador, a senior judge and novice instructor.

Her dishes have been served at large events such as NYC Fashion Week and Bon Appetit Supper club, and she has had many recipes published in multiple magazines. She has cooked for Cal Ripken Jr., Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr, Elise Testone, Mac Arnold, The Bronx Wanderers, Ken Lavigne, The Movin Out Band and Manhattan transfer as well as for many private parties.

The eighth annual championship event is the largest food sport tournament hosting hundreds of competitors throughout 10 categories and awarding  more than one million dollars in total prize money.  Television coverage and social media reaches many countries in addition to the United States.

Contact Geise via Facebook or andreanngeise@gmail.com to discuss sponsorship details.