Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000

Quarter-Finalist

Alohalani Mercado

There is no love greater than the love of food. Such a pure and simple way to share Aloha!

Currently 9

in the Quarter-Finals

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You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!

Voting for Semi-Finalists ends Thursday the 22nd of May at 7PM PDT

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Who or what inspires you to cook?

I can spread Aloha !!! And it shows!!! I love it that people can feel the Aloha when they slip a fork full of one of my creations into their mouths. AND when you inspire other young kids with the same passion it's even sweeter!

What's your all time favorite dish to make?

Thats a hard question to answer. My peanut butter pie has brought lots of joy to the everyday consumer, wedding days and even their last requested dish in hospice. BUT taking that and putting an Island Spin on it (mac nut pie) or turning my Key lime pie into a lilikoi pie had been awarding. Spread the Aloha one bite at a time!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I recently opened a restaurant on the mainland and I am helping a young chef get set up. I would love to put some of that money back into the biz to be sure he can be successful AND ummm get some botox lol

James Beard Foundation

Help Alohalani Mercado become the next Favorite Chef with a tax-deductible donation. Your support helps create a more equitable and sustainable future in the restaurant industry.


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Make onions cry

Sharpen your knives and show the world why you’re the Favorite Chef.

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