Amy Feese

Rather than a signature dish, my style is defined my constant innovation and playful flavor combinations. Some of my favorite recent creations include light, savory Chèvre and Celery Profiteroles with refreshing Melon Carpaccio; a bold Cocoa Braised Pork Belly Savory S’more featuring fluffy Miso Marshmallows on a sesame cracker; and a decadent Bananas Foster Paris-Brest. I love reimagining classic pastry techniques into unexpected, unforgettable sweet and savory experiences.

My family is my ultimate culinary inspiration. I often imagine my great-grandmother cooking alongside me, deeply aware of the opportunities I have that she was denied due to the discrimination of her era. I stand in the shoulders of women, chefs, and artists who blazed trails before me. To paraphrase MFK Fisher, I cook because our three most basic needs are for food, security and love, and they cannot be separated. I cook to celebrate our shared resilience and carry their legacy forward.

With $25,000, I will invest directly in my future and my community by continuing my culinary education. Specifically, I plan to enroll in Cornell University’s Food Product Development program. This course will give me the technical expertise needed to scale my creations safely and sustainably. My ultimate goal is to bring my favorite recipes to accessible products for the everyday American to share with their families.