John keklik

My love for cooking began at family dinners with my Turkish father and Italian-American mother. Helping my mom in the kitchen ignited my passion. As a teen, I experimented with recipes, later studying Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University. An internship at Talula’s Garden sparked my interest in professional kitchens, and Chef Brian Lewis at the Cottage shaped me into the chef I am today—sharing love and gratitude through every dish I create.

Growing up with Turkish and Italian roots, I learned to love food by trying everything twice—a lesson from my parents. Now, my fiancé Lily and I carry on that spirit with Saucy Sundays. Each week, we pick a recipe from our cookbook collection, gather ingredients, and create a saucy dish to enjoy together. This tradition lets us slow down, bond, and share our passion for food, turning a simple meal into a cherished ritual.

This $25,000 prize would help my fiancé Lily and me buy a home to start our family, creating a space filled with love like the ones we grew up in. While I’m not using it to open a restaurant, our kitchen would be a place to share the meaning of food—connection, culture, and love—with future generations. Writing these responses has made me reflect on how lucky I’ve been. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.