Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I’d be honored to be Favorite Chef, bringing my passion for cooking, 20 years of hospitality experience, and a deep love for fire.
Want to learn more about our competition?
Learn MoreWant to be notified if their position changes?
Receive Text UpdatesOne of My Signature Dishes is: Red Miso Glazed Lobster, gently poached then kissed by the grill, served over warm Humita foam, a tribute to Argentina’s classic corn stew, with pickled enoki mushrooms, chives & tarragon oil, Oscietra caviar, and nasturtium leaves.
Who is your culinary inspiration?I’ve had the privilege of traveling extensively and working across diverse culinary concepts alongside some of the industry’s leading chefs. Today, my inspiration comes from Chef Mauro Colagreco; Chef Thomas Keller; Virgilio Martínez of Central Restaurant in Peru; Eric Kragh Vildgaard at Jordnær; Bjorn Frantzén; and many others who continue to shape modern gastronomy.
What would you do with the $25,000?Winning this prize would be an incredible step toward bringing my culinary dreams to life. Beyond supporting my journey of saving for future projects, it would create powerful exposure, momentum, and the opportunity to inspire others through my story. I am truly excited for the chance to represent my passion, my vision, and the extraordinary culinary spirit of JW Marriott Marco Island with a wider audience. This opportunity would mean more than recognition, it would be fuel for the next chapter.
Vote for Damian Manfre 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.