Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I cook from the heart, turning simple ingredients into unforgettable comfort food that brings people together with every joyful bite. Yum!!!
Want to learn more about our competition?
Learn MoreWant to be notified if their position changes?
Receive Text Updates
Dark meat chicken has always had my heart — juicy, rich, and unapologetically flavorful, it felt like the only chicken worth cooking. White meat? I wasn’t interested. Then everything changed. I learned how to properly pan-fry a chicken breast, and I do mean properly — and my world has never been the same. That perfect golden crust giving way to the most tender, juicy bite? Utter perfection doesn’t even begin to cover it. I’m a convert, and I’m never looking ba
Who is your culinary inspiration?A Super Bowl snack promo pulled me in, and The Chew never let me go. That show didn’t just entertain me — it ignited me. When it ended, Gordon Ramsay stepped in as my culinary drill sergeant, and I showed up for every lesson. Although, whenever the cast of the Chew popped up to promote something new, I was there. These people didn’t just inspire me — they built me.
What would you do with the $25,000?My car has 300,000+ miles on it — she’s a warrior, but it’s time. Part of that prize is getting me reliable wheels. The rest? Fueling my dream of launching my own infused catering business. I want to bring, intentional flavors to every table I touch. This money wouldn’t just change my situation — it would change my trajectory.
Vote for Cricket Ellis 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.
