Bobby Watkins

What is your signature dish?

My signature dish would certainly be my caramelized white chocolate and toasted coconut cheesecake- a great substitute for your traditional birthday cake. This isn't a standard cheesecake. I slowly roast white chocolate until the sugars caramelize into a deep, complex flavor, folding that into a rich cheesecake batter. It’s finished with a caramelized white chocolate ganache and toasted coconut for a crisp textural contrast. It represents dedication to precise, technical baking and my root

Who is your culinary inspiration?

I’ve learned from so many people: my mom, grandmother and great grandmother- they taught me so much about cooking from the heart. They taught me how to make my first cheesecake when I was a teenager. Claire Saffitz is someone who taught me how to use my brain and science background to make those family recipes even better.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I win this grand prize, I plan to put back into the school I work at. We have a food pantry for students in need, and we have kitchens for our students to learn in. I’d expand our pantry, including adding some freezers and more food and clothing options for students who need it. I’d also contribute more kitchen appliances and equipment for our students in food science and nutrition programs, and our ALPS program.