Derious smith

Connect What is your signature dish?

My signature dish is chicken Alfredo. It’s a simple dish, but that’s what makes it special. The real magic is in the homemade sauce. A lot of people use jarred Alfredo, but once you learn how to make it from scratch, the flavor is on a whole different level. Creamy, rich, and made with fresh ingredients, it’s the dish I love making because it turns something familiar into something people always remember.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My biggest culinary inspiration is my auntie. As a kid, I loved to eat, so I was always in the kitchen watching her cook. She made it look effortless, turning simple ingredients into meals that brought the whole family together. What stood out most was the love she put into every dish. Watching her showed me that food has the power to comfort people and create memories, and that is what first made me fall in love with cooking.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to launch Urban Heat Culinary Hub, a commercial kitchen and training center where I can grow my catering business while equipping underserved youth with culinary skills, sanitation training, and real-world job experience. This funding would help secure equipment and kitchen space, allowing me to create jobs, mentor future chefs, and turn a passion for food into a lasting impact.