Top Chefs 2026 is Keepin' it Country

April 25 | 6PM | Hulman Center

This year, 100 of Terre Haute’s most notable are turning up the volume and stepping into the spotlight, bringing a little Nashville Broadway flair to the competition for the coveted title of Top Chef.

It’s the Terre Haute Children’s Museum’s biggest annual fundraiser, and every dollar raised truly matters. The chef who brings in the most support takes home the crown — and bragging rights worthy of Music City.

You won’t want to miss this high-energy, toe-tappin’, one-of-a-kind event.

Which community leader do you want to see
​be a cowboy for a day?

​Give Back and Win Big!

Support the Terre Haute Children’s Museum during our Top Chefs event while enjoying exciting ways to give back and win big! Participate in our Silent Auction, Live Auction, and a Whole Hog Raffle—each offering something for everyone. Click the button below to explore the details, view items, and possibly win big!

Meet the Captains

James Twitchell

Cody Mason

Jonathan Wright

Mark Clinkenbeard

Mark McCreery

Dan Gmelich

Todd Hein

Mark Metheny

Scott Finzel

Find Your Favorite Chef

Team Leaderboard

The spotlight’s on. Hit refresh to see who takes the win!​
Team McCreery ( The Hoedown Hautians) - $3,077
Team Gmelich (Quigley & the Chefs from Down Under) - $2,540
Team Metheny (American Outlaws) - $2,160
Team Twitchell/Clinkenbeard (Culinary Cowboys) - $1,835
Team Mason (Fancy's Kitchen for Runaways Chefs) - $1,679
​Team Hein (Yeehaw Yahoos) - $695
​Team Finzel (Beer, Boots & Bad Decisions) - $420
Team Wright (Yellowstone) - $330

Individual Leaderboard

Results last updated on April 16, 2026 @ 2 p.m.
Sameer Bavishi - $1,925
Mark Metheny - $1,000
Brittany Molinder - $1,000
Brandon Bennett - $645
Sam Yagow - $640
Dan Gmelich - $600
Mark McCreery - $502
Brandon Dorsett - $500
Thomas Lutgring - $500
Lloyd Pressley - $450
Matt Bilyeu - $425
James Twitchell - $400
Frederik Schroeder - $345
Danielle Jena - $325
Greg Burns - $325

Terre Haute Children's Museum

The Terre Haute Children's Museum is three stories of fun, laughter and exploration located in the heart of Terre Haute. Since its early beginnings, the museum has more than doubled in size and has educated more than 230,000 children and adults from 22 counties in Indiana and Illinois.
Our mission is to enrich our children's lives through the exploration of science and technology to help with their overall growth and development. We strive to create a fun, dynamic science and technology learning environment of the highest quality, which serves as a point of community pride.

Join us in supporting this truly great cause.​

Tables of 8 are available for purchase online. Individual tickets may also be purchased by calling the Terre Haute Children's Museum at 812-235-5548.