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

Quarter-Finalist

David Ellis

Cooking is how I bring people together—turning simple ingredients into unforgettable meals, shared laughter, and memories around the table.

Currently 6

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?

A sautéed Sweet and Sour Shrimp on Glass noodles.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My culinary inspiration comes from my mom and grandmother, who taught me that great food begins with love, patience, and simple ingredients treated with care. Watching them cook showed me how a meal could bring people together and turn an ordinary day into something special. Their kitchens were filled with flavor, laughter, and tradition, and that spirit continues to guide every dish I create today.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I would invest it into growing my passion for cooking. I’d upgrade my kitchen with better equipment, continue developing my cookbook, and create more opportunities to share great food with family, friends, and my community. Cooking has always been about bringing people together, and this would help me keep building on the inspiration my mom and grandmother gave me.

James Beard Foundation

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