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

DJ

I do what chefs do: I bring passion, attitude and intent to every service, and I turn simple flavors into great dishes while pivoting easily

Currently 1

in their Group

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You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!

The first cut is on Thursday the 11th of June at 7PM PDT

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What is your signature dish?

A signature dish for me would be breakfast tacos!! Growing up in San Antonio & the surrounding area, breakfast tacos are a staple in the city cuisine & known for fresh, local options & are offered at any time of the day! Handmade tortillas, eggs, chorizo, bacon, house salsas, I would make over any other choices! Can’t go wrong with Breakfast for Dinner either

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My culinary inspiration is my mother. I never realized til the last few years she was actually a Chef while I was growing up. She spent countless days, & even held over night positions while me & my sister had a babysitter or slept over at family members houses. She’d put us on the bus for school, & sleep until we got out. I took home-ec as a joke in 8th grade & I took what I actually learned there, & what I seen her (as a mother) & Chef take to work every day

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’d use it to cook!! The venture of being a Private Chef has always been Intriguing! I’d utilize a portion to build a portfolio for that, by traveling across the country & eat in some of the best areas known for their cuisine that I have never visited! I would also use a portion to start a non profit cooking class for anyone willing! Having local farmers & vendors helping with donated produce from the community to help grow the interests in sustainability & simple cooking

James Beard Foundation

Vote for DJ 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.


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