Devanee Corbett

Connect What is your signature dish?

I make so many dishes it is hard to choose one. But, all of my clients, family and friends, love my Salmon Curry. This dish features pristine salmon pieces seared to a golden finish, then simmered in a luxurious, velvety sauce. The base combines sweet cherry tomatoes, wilted fresh spinach, and rich cooking cream, layered with garlic, warm curry spice, and aromatic mixed herbs. Finished with a bright splash of fresh lemon juice and served over fluffy, toasted basmati rice.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My Great Grandfather, Edward "E.T." Turner. He literally built our family’s culinary foundation, constructing a custom kitchen and garden brick by brick in our family home, affectionately called "Pops Kitchen." Long before it was a trend, he lived the ultimate farm-to-table life. He taught me that food is a celebration of heritage and a tool for bringing people together. Cooking his recipes connects me to my roots and reminds me that the best food is always built from s

What would you do with the $25,000?

I will use the $25K as seed money for my immediate to-go restaurant startup, laying the financial foundation for my ultimate dual-concept dream: Pops Kitchen (gourmet soul food) and Lore (a chic, modern restaurant). Funding this agile, low-overhead takeout concept first allows me to build a loyal customer base, perfect our signature salmon curry, and generate the capital needed to eventually build the physical, brick-and-mortar spaces honoring my great-grandfather's legacy.