Competitors & Judges

The arts are fundamental to a rich and meaningful education, fostering critical thinking, self-expression, and personal growth while cultivating a community that values creativity in all its forms. The culinary arts are no exception. We are proud to have showcased some of Edmonton’s finest chefs and are excited to continue collaborating with the exceptional culinary talent our city has to offer.

We welcome professional chefs and passionate home bakers to join the Highlands School Culinary Arts Cook-Off! Whether you lead a bustling kitchen or create magic at your own kitchen table, your talent and creativity have a place at our event. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your signature flavours, connect with the community, and support a meaningful cause. By sharing your time and culinary skills, you’ll help raise essential funds for student arts, athletics, and enriched learning—while being part of a fun, spirited celebration of Edmonton’s vibrant food scene.

Why should I compete?

You should compete because it’s an opportunity to showcase your creativity and talent while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Cook-Off offers strong local exposure, connects you with new audiences and potential customers, and positions you as a leader who supports public education and youth development.

Beyond visibility, you’ll be part of a fun, high-energy event that celebrates culinary artistry and friendly competition—all while helping raise essential funds that directly benefit students through enhanced arts programming, athletics, and enriched learning opportunities. It’s a chance to share what you love, challenge yourself creatively, and give back in a way that truly matters. Cookies are prepared off-site and sold at the event for $2 each. Sign up now to test your culinary skills!

How do I sign up?

Review the Participant Registration Package and submit your registration using the:

— online Google form: 2026 Competitor Registration Form
— OR download the Participant Registration Package and mail the completed form to: Highlands School, c/o Cookie Off Competitor Liaison, 6015 118 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T5W 4C2

Want to discuss collaboration opportunities? Please reach out to our Event Liaison at highlandsparentsociety@gmail.com.

Announcing our 2026 Competitors

We're absolutely thrilled to announce our first official competitor! Please welcome Little Sweets Co, a home-based bakery serving Sherwood Park and the surrounding area, specializing in homemade treats baked with care. With food-handler certification and a passion for sharing sweet creations, they offer fresh cookies and other baked goods made with love and attention to detail—perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Check out Little Sweets Co on Facebook and Instagram to see their delicious creations and follow along as they bring their sweet skills to the cook-off on April 18, 2026.

Our Emcee

We’re delighted to welcome our emcee, Mark Connolly. A trusted voice in Edmonton for decades, Mark spent 46 years in broadcasting, including 36 years with CBC, where many listeners came to know him as the longtime host of Edmonton AM. Over his career he has covered everything from local stories to 12 Olympic Games, always bringing curiosity, warmth, and a deep love for the community to the microphone. Today, Mark continues to share that voice as an event host and storyteller—and we’re especially grateful for his longtime support of the Cookie-Off since its very beginning. Please join us in welcoming Mark Connolly! Follow Mark on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Our Auctioneer

Larry Romaniuk, professional auctioneer and long-time cook-off supporter, runs the live bidding on collaborative art projects created by Highlands students and staff. It's incredible to see him in action, sharing the starting prices, chanting the changes and exciting the bidders to maximize bids. It's electric!

The 2025 Competitors

We are proud to announce that we had 15 Cookie-Off competitors on April 12, 2025! These incredibly generous and talented chefs created, donated and sold their yummy cookie creations, and then presented them to our wonderful judges. Our panel of guest judges and Highlands School student judges awarded Judges' Choice, Kids' Choice, and Most Creative. The general public cast their votes for the People's Choice award.

Please generously applaud:

— Smart Cookies - Violet, Claudia, Sarah & Lily *former Highlands students
— Ty-Ann Byers
— Highlands Adult Inclusion Alliance - Bri, Dana & Mel
— Sugar Mamas - Lyndsey Burgess & Chef Erica Box *Returning competitor
— Crinkle Mingle - Sharifah Usman
— The Old Red Barn - Chef Tyson Wright
— Strada Coffee Company & Artisan Bakery - Chef Madison Huseby
— Little Kitchen Academy - Chef Mary Eun
— Confetti Sweets - Kathy Leskow
— Theresa Yaremchuk *Returning competitor
— NAIT, Culinary Arts - Michelle Hyunh *Returning competitor
— Little Bird Baking - Abby Reimer *2024 Judges' Choice Winner
— Mama Jo’s Kitchen - Joanne Landmark *Returning competitor
— Highlands Alumni - Kit Anderson, Aiden Hammermiester & Rhyan Vercholuk *Returning competitors
— Paperbirch by Chartrand - Chef Shane Chartrand *2022 Most Creative Winner

Want to know more about our competitors? Visit the 2025 Chefs Gallery.

Our 2025 Judges

We were very happy to welcome the judging panel for the 2025 Cookie-off: Johwanna 'Jojo' Alleyne (Owner of Mojo Jojo Pickles & food judge for the Edmonton Heritage Festival), Linda Hoang (content creator, social media influencer & social media strategist), Cindy Huynh (Cook with Chopsticks Blogger & Food Photographer), Phil Wilson a.k.a. Baconhound (food writer, radio columnist for CBC Edmonton, & head food judge for the Edmonton Heritage Festival), and Jon Timms (Photographer).