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

Quarter-Finalist

Marc Valles

When people come in the restaurant, I like to feed them as if they’re coming into my house. I want to make good food accessible to all.

Currently 3

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 draw inspiration from my childhood, my career and life experiences. I could not afford culinary school, so I read anything I could that would help me succeed in a culinary career. I learned by working my way up the ranks in the kitchen at some of Honolulu's best restaurants. My mom and grandma were amazing cooks and are a big part of why I love to cook. Our house always had food cooking and it smelled so good! They showed love by feeding people and so do I.

What's your all time favorite dish to make?

Coconut marlin ceviche. It's spicy, yet cool and refreshing. I like to credit this dish to how I met my wife. To this day it still holds a special place in both our hearts. It also made her boss cry tears of joy!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would give it to my wife so that she can have the opportunity to achieve her career goal of opening her own tattoo studio. She's worked so hard and sacrificed so much in order to allow me to do what I love; I would like to take this opportunity to try and give and show her the same love and support that she's shown me every day.

James Beard Foundation

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