Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I blend Southern soul, family tradition, and heart-healthy flavor into every dish—cooking with purpose, passion, and love.
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Who is your culinary inspiration?My culinary inspiration is deeply rooted in my Southern heritage and family traditions from Charleston. I come from generations of incredible cooks — my mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and extended family always filled our homes with love, warmth, and pots of something delicious simmering on the stove. Some of my earliest memories are in the kitchen, helping cook as young as four years old and learning that food was more than nourishment — it was comfort, culture, connection,
What would you do with the $25,000?Growing up in a Southern family from Charleston, food meant love, tradition, and community. After surviving a heart attack and open-heart surgery, I became passionate about creating soulful dishes with a healthier twist. If I win $25,000, I would use it to launch a Southern-inspired food truck that honors my family’s legacy while serving flavorful food that nourishes both the body and soul.
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