Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000

Cecilia Ganier

Chef Ganiér here! Cooking since 10, I’m turning my E450 bus into a Creole Fusion legacy to honor the mother I lost & the dream we shared.

Currently 10

in their Group

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You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!

Voting for the TOP 15 ends Thursday the 18th of June at 7PM PDT

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What is your signature dish?

​"My signature is the Filé Gumbo Spring Roll—a masterclass in Creole fusion. I take my grandmother’s traditional dark roux and authentic sassafras filé, pairing it with tender beef filet for a gourmet, hand-held experience. Alongside it is my Sunday Soul Steak Dinner Roll, featuring bottom round steak slow-braised for 3 hours until it melts. Both are served with my proprietary Ritse Green Sauce, bridging Bayou heritage with modern street food innovation."

Who is your culinary inspiration?

​"My grandmother. She taught me to feed the soul, passing down the Creole secrets I use today. She even had the honor of meeting Carla Hall!"

What would you do with the $25,000?

​"I’ll use the $25k to finish my E450 bus kitchen, fulfilling a promise to my late mother to bring our family's Creole Fusion to the world."

James Beard Foundation

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