Mitchele Jean-Francois

My mother and Aunt have always inspired me to cook. Watching them make meals for our family and how much joy it brought us made me realize how powerful food can be in creating memories.I’m also inspired by the ability to experiment with ingredients and create something unique.Cooking is a form of art for me, and I love playing with different flavors and techniques to create new dishes.Last but not least, my cultural heritage inspires me to cook. Our food traditions are deeply connected to

My all-time favorite dish to make is maple Cayenne ribs. It’s comforting and filling, I love the process of preparing them, from seasoning and marinating the meat to slow cooking them until they're fall-off-the-bone tender. I also love making it because it’s a dish I can share with family and friends,and it always brings people together. There’s something so satisfying about the combination of spices,and I’ve perfected my own version that is full of flavor.

If I win the $25,000, I would invest it in starting my own food truck business. The first thing I would do is purchase a reliable, well-equipped food truck that meets health and safety standards and can handle the needs of my kitchen. I’ve always dreamed of bringing my culinary skills to a broader audience, and a food truck provides the perfect opportunity to do that in a flexible and cost-effective way.