Ashley Jones

Connect What is your signature dish?

I’ve never been interested in defining myself by a single signature dish. For me, cooking is about constant evolution — exploring new ingredients, layering unexpected flavors, and drawing inspiration from different cuisines and techniques. I’m driven by creativity in the kitchen and the challenge of turning eclectic combinations into dishes that feel balanced, thoughtful, and memorable.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My culinary inspiration started at home with my grandmother. Watching her cook taught me that food is more than technique — it’s tradition, comfort, and creativity all at once. I was also drawn to chefs like Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, and Gordon Ramsay, whose passion, intensity, and bold approach to flavor fueled my curiosity in the kitchen. That combination of homegrown inspiration and professional influence shaped my drive to constantly explore new ingredients, techniques, and exp

What would you do with the $25,000?

Winning would give me the opportunity to take my culinary vision to the next level. I’d invest in expanding my knowledge through travel and hands-on experiences with different cuisines, while also building toward future goals like culinary education and creating ways to share my food with my community. I want to use food as a way to tell stories, bring people together, and continue pushing myself creatively as a chef.