We have officially crowned 32-year-old Zack Schaffer as the winner of our annual Young Wood Pro competition.

Schaffer won for his magnificent Johnson Dresser, which features tiger maple and handcarved rosewood. The dresser's frame is beveled and mitered, and all of the joinery is mortise and tenon or slip tenon.

Our team of judges considered overall look/presentation of the project, as well as the complexity of its construction and design.

Schaffer beat out nine other finalists to claim the top spot. Check out a slideshow of the finalists here. 

"This year was without a doubt the strongest group of finalists we've ever had," said Brendan Linehan, the competition's organizer. "Judging was tough. But Zack's win is well-deserved. The dresser is exceptional."

Each finalist earned a spot by being among the projects to garner the most likes on our Facebook page - where we received more than 5,300 votes.

Young Wood Pro recognizes outstanding projects and the young wood pros that create them. The free competition is Woodworking Network's salute to woodworkers ages 18-35.

Schaffer was crowned winner at the 2021 co-located Closets Conference & Expo/ Wood Pro Expo June 9, 2021 in Palm Springs, Florida. He will receive a $500 monetary award and will be featured in an upcoming issue of FDMC magazine. 

This is the sixth year that Woodworking Network has hosted this event. 31-year-old Andrew Morris was last year's winner - earning the grand prize for his beautifully crafted walnut credenza. 

Other previous winners were Drake Stuedemann and his Austin Coffee Table No. 2, Nathan Deal for his 17-foot Great Auk Kayak, Martin Goebel of Goebel & Co. Furniture for his classic table featuring World War II surplus, aircraft-grade sugar pine, and Dylan Horst for his undulating ash and benge Wave table.