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

Essence Hill

I should be favorite chef because even though I was in and out of foster care as a child what got me through was cooking.

Currently 7

in their Group

Vote

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

Want to learn more about our competition?

Learn More
Connect
What is your signature dish?

Beef stew with basmati rice pilaf

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My culinary inspiration is my dad and sister. Even though I didn’t get to see them a lot…My dad was always creative in the kitchen during holidays with lemon broccoli and orange glazed lamb chops. My sister is a chef and she’s always teaching me new recipes and skills. We love Bobby Flay and we would watch him together in Tuesday nights figuring out if we could beat him one day!

What would you do with the $25,000?

With the 25,000 I would start my restaurant and training program with kids in the foster system and hire and train kids that want a way out of the system. Cooking gave me hope and something to look forward to. I want other foster children to have the same experience.

James Beard Foundation

Vote for Essence Hill 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.


1 Vote
10 Votes
25 Votes
50 Votes
100 Votes
250 Votes
Other Amount

Enter donation - $1 per vote

Make onions cry

Sharpen your knives and show the world why you’re the Favorite Chef.

Learn More