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

Quarter-Finalist

Cortney Johnson

I should be the Favorite Chef because I am a relatable home cook with certified chef flare! I cater to simple palates and complex tastes.

Currently 5

in the Quarter-Finals

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

Voting for Semi-Finalists ends Thursday the 23rd of July at 7PM PDT

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What is your signature dish?

My signature dish, which is a traditional Sunday meal and often requested by family, is my whole roasted chicken (see photo gallery). I typically serve my chicken with braised collard greens, and garlic & dill red skin smashed potatoes. My whole roasted chicken is so popular that I have taught others how to prepare it through virtual cooking lessons and I have shared my recipe when requested.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My culinary inspiration, one of many, is the very own Chef Carla Hall. I have been a fan and inspired by Chef Hall’s work since her early years as a co-host on ‘The Chew’. I also had the pleasure of meeting her in 2019 at a Williams Sonoma cooking demo and signing of her cookbook, Carla Hall’s Soul Food Everyday and Celebration. I embrace soul food into my culinary repertoire, and Carla Hall’s recipes make it approachable and simple for the everyday home cook.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I started my own LLC (CojoCooks,LLC), a private chef business in 2022. Sadly, I have not been able to successfully launch and promote it due to financial constraints. Although the LLC is still active, I recently disabled my business website this year as it is at a standstill. The prize money will help me fully re-launch and promote my business.

James Beard Foundation

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