Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
Lifelong food lover leaving academia to pursue cooking professionally and build a career fighting food waste.
You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!
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Pizza would be my signature dish. I started making pizza during the pandemic and have been refining my skills ever since. I love hosting friends and family and creating personal pizzas made to order for each guest. Experimenting with different topping combinations and seeing people enjoy something made just for them is one of my favorite parts of cooking. Pizza combines creativity, hospitality, and my passion for bringing people together through food.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My culinary inspiration comes from many places, especially my Dominican roots and the food I grew up eating. Family cooking traditions inspired my love for food, while chefs, restaurants, cookbooks, and online food creators have shaped my skills and creativity. I also draw inspiration from my research on food waste, which taught me to cook thoughtfully and minimize waste without compromising quality.
What would you do with the $25,000?The $25,000 would help me transition into a career in the food industry and launch a meal prep service focused on supporting people during challenging or transitional times. I want to provide nourishing meals for individuals and families dealing with situations like a new baby, illness, or overwhelming work and school stress. My goal is to use food to bring comfort, care, and relief when cooking for yourself or your loved ones feels difficult.
Vote for Diana Rodriguez Alberto 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.
