Carrie King

What is your signature dish?

My signature dish is my double chocolate chocolate chip peanut butter cookies. They’re rich, gooey, homemade comfort in cookie form. I’ve spent years perfecting them — soft centers, crisp edges, melted chocolate, and just the right amount of peanut butter. They’re the kind of cookies people request for birthdays, holidays, breakups, celebrations, and “just because.” Baking them feels like sharing love with people.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

Julia Child has always been my culinary inspiration. I’ve watched every movie and documentary about her, and I even visited a museum to see her replica kitchen in person. What inspires me most is how joyful, fearless, and approachable she made cooking feel. She wasn’t about perfection.. she made people feel like cooking could be fun, comforting, and part of a beautiful life. That’s exactly how I feel in the kitchen too.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would travel the world experiencing different cuisines, learning from local cooks, and discovering the stories behind food and culture. Food connects people in such a powerful way, and I’d love to bring those experiences back into my own kitchen. I’d also use part of the money to continue growing my passion for baking and creating recipes that bring comfort and happiness to people’s lives.