Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
Shipbuilder's granddaughter. Self-made chef. Community builder. I turn resilience into unforgettable food and connection.
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My grazing tables are my canvas. I transform premium ingredients into vibrant edible landscapes bursting with colour, texture, and flavour. Every table is designed to stop guests in their tracks, create a sense of abundance, and invite connection. What begins as food becomes an experience—one that people photograph, talk about, and remember long after the last bite is gone.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My greatest culinary inspiration is my grandmother. Visits to Nova Scotia meant homemade bread cooling on the counter, sweets from the baking nook my grandfather built for her, and meals crafted from whatever was fresh and in season. I'd gather vegetables from her garden and fish with my grandfather before she transformed our catch into dinner. Food was the heart of their home—a home I now own and live in today. Their love still inspires every table I create.
What would you do with the $25,000?Winning $25,000 would allow me to breathe new life into the dream I've spent years building. I would upgrade my kitchen, invest in professional equipment, and create employment opportunities by hiring additional staff. Better tools mean more creativity, more capacity, and more beautiful experiences for my clients. It would help turn a small business built on passion into a lasting legacy.
Vote for Chantel Mackay 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.
