Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I want to inspire people to see that healthy food can be exciting, approachable, and full of the comfort and joy that great meals bring.
Want to learn more about our competition?
Learn MoreWant to be notified if their position changes?
Receive Text Updates
Not a signature dish but a signature approach: classical music, clean ingredients, & building layers of flavor from scratch. When creating a recipe, I start by asking myself a few simple questions: What am I craving? What ingredients do I already have on hand? Do I want a hearty protein like chicken or beans? What vegetables sound good? A sauce, aioli, or dairy-free cheese bring everything together? I believe great cooking comes from intuition, quality ingredients, & the perfect bite.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My culinary inspiration comes from the meals I grew up with, cooking alongside my mom and family. I love taking familiar comfort foods and reimagining them with fresh, clean ingredients. Inspiration can come from a trip to the farmers market, a beautiful tomato, a craving for a childhood favorite, or simply opening the pantry and seeing what’s available. For me, cooking is a vibe that blends nostalgia, intuition, and a desire to make wholesome food feel exciting and new while still feeling
What would you do with the $25,000?Winning the $25,000 prize would allow me to dedicate more time to what I love most—creating recipes that bring people together. I would use the funds to finish my cookbook, continue exploring new culinary ideas, and share my passion for wholesome, scratch-made food with a wider audience. It would be an investment not just in my journey, but in helping others discover the joy of cooking nourishing meals from scratch.
Vote for Cate Bennett to be the next Favorite Chef while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote below, or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting the James Beard Foundation and their mission to lead chefs and the broader culinary industry toward a new standard of excellence.
