Carrie Taylor

If I have a signature dish, it’s probably my kimchi carrot cake. It reflects how I cook — blending comfort, culture, creativity, and connection. The warmth and nostalgia of carrot cake paired with the tang and depth of kimchi creates something unexpected but balanced. More than anything, it represents my love of bringing people together through bold flavors, conversation, and shared experiences that turn curiosity into connection.

My culinary idols are chefs and creators who combine creativity, culture, and storytelling through food. Most recently, I admire Lee Yeon-bok and Choi Kang-rok, for inspiring me with flavors, Korean traditions, and innovative approaches to cooking. Their influence encourages me to create food experiences that bring people together through curiosity, connection, and shared meals.

I would like to create spaces where strangers become friends and memories are made through products, events, and creative gatherings. This prize money would help transform that vision into something larger: a culture-driven brand built on community, creativity, and connection. My dream is to build a business that turns food into connection — bringing people together through bold flavors, Korean-inspired traditions, shared experiences, and meaningful conversation.