World Dessert Champion from Peoria to compete for $100K prize this spring

PHOENIX — Peoria home cook Greg Buerger’s skills didn’t just earn him respect in the kitchen — they earned him a $10,000 check.

Buerger, 75, and his team made up of family members competed in the 2018 World Food Championship dessert category.

He won the top prize for his “sparkling gingersnap caramel apple tart” and was named World Dessert Champion in November.

“I knew the tough level of competition I was up against. It blew me away when they announced I was the new champion,” Buerger said in a press release.

Ironically, it was Greg Buergers' delicate desserts that gave him sweet victory at #WFC2018!

After barely falling short in 2017, he returned with persistence, winning $10,000 and was crowned the 2018 World Dessert Champion. https://t.co/S5GFVBAyXm#FoodChamp #Dessert @Walmart pic.twitter.com/1XICJS7TBy

— World Food Championships (@WorldFoodChamp) January 9, 2019

He also earned a spot to compete in the spring 2019 Final Table challenge, which pits him against world champions in nine other food categories for a $100,000 prize.

The champions will travel to a U.S. location to be announced and replicate dishes special to that city to be judged by local celebrity chefs.

Buerger and his family have previously competed in the recipe and bacon categories and came in second place for the 2017 dessert competition.

“My favorite part about WFC is the quality of the people that you get to compete against,” Buerger said.

“The level of competition is superb and everyone is super friendly and always willing to help each other.”

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