Neil Daniell is preparing for the biggest moment of his culinary career, when his skills are put to the test to determine the best in the world.

  “It’s a huge moment,” said Daniell, owner of KirbyG’s Diner in McDonough. “It’s a moment that, sometimes, it’s very difficult to sink in.”

  Daniell is one of 10 cooks and chefs who will compete in the finale of the World Food Championships. The event is slated for May 17-19 in New Orleans. The winner will receive $100,000 and will be named the World Food Champion.

  Daniell secured a spot in the WFC in November 2018, when he won the World Burger Championship in Orange Beach, Ala. Participants in the WFC will cook cajun-style food, in keeping with the destination theme of the three-day competition.

  The opening day of the competition will require each finalist to prepare a classic Cajun dish, before the field is whittled down to five contestants. In round two, the remaining participants will recreate a popular menu item from a New Orleans eatery. The top three finalists will complete a “mystery basket challenge,” with the top scorer being named the winner.

  Daniell expressed confidence in his team’s chances at the WFC.

  “We’ve got one in ten,” he said. “We’ll have to adjust, but everybody has to adjust some.”

  Daniell said although he has taken part in the event five times already, this year marks his highest placement in the competition thus far.

  “We’re ecstatic to get there,” he said. “It’s really difficult to get to this point.”

  Daniell said he and a team of employees from his restaurant will focus on a combination of execution, appearance and taste, in their quest to earn the championship.   “We’re going to put together people that understand cajun and try to make the best team possible,” he said. “We’ll continue on the same route – three or four people that we’ve taken previously. Whatever they throw at us, we’re going to try to meet it.”