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

Quarter-Finalist

Karla Olivares

My ultimate goal is to save enough money to buy my mom a food truck and share our passion for food with our local community.

Currently 5

in the Quarter-Finals

Vote

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

Want to learn more about our competition?

Learn More
Connect
Who or what inspires you to cook?

My mom sparked my love for cooking when she first taught me at the age of 7. During my time at college, cooking became a way to stay connected to my family, keeping me grounded even while I embraced new experiences. Being 2,000 miles away from home, sharing meals allowed me to form deep, lasting friendships. Cooking is more than just preparing food—it’s about fostering connection, love, and community. My goal is to create a legacy that gives back to the community that helped shape me

What's your all time favorite dish to make?

Rice is my favorite dish to make because of its versatility. Even when served plain, it enhances any meal by soaking up flavors and complementing main dishes perfectly. Whether it's served as a side, mixed into a dish, or transformed into something entirely new, rice is a simple yet essential staple that brings comfort and connection to every meal.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to make a down payment on a food truck and build a commercial kitchen in my backyard. My goal is to create a space where I can unleash my creativity while producing food to share. This would allow me to offer teaching demonstrations to my community, cook to give back, and lay the foundation for a lasting legacy.

James Beard Foundation

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


1 Vote
10 Votes
25 Votes
50 Votes
100 Votes
250 Votes
Other Amount

Enter donation - $1 per vote

Make onions cry

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

Learn More