Karen Ilarraza

I love to surprise people with different flavors on foods that you wouldn’t expect to necessarily taste on that dish.

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Who or what inspires you to cook?

I love creating something that makes someone’s eyes bug out and say “omg, this is delicious” I feel like cooking is an extension of your mood, passion and personality. I love to eat and live to eat, not eat to live if that makes sense….

What's your all time favorite dish to make?

I keep trying to perfect the “perfect bolgunaise “, but recently have been on a lemon anything kick…..lemon curd on a roasted chicken with tarragon and rosemary etc.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Not sure. I think I would be shocked to even have to think about what to do with. Maybe take my kids on a cooking vacation to Italy or something. They love food, my daughter bakes and they all like to cook.

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