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

Faruq Jenkins

My food IS a Taste of Home. I make the Potato Salad for the family reunion and the Mac & Cheese for Thanksgiving. Soul, Vibes and Great Food

Currently 3

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?

Spicy Peach Cobbler Shrimp! It's a new creation of mine combining the elements of a soul food classic dessert and crispy fried, juicy jumbo shrimp. Succulent jumbo shrimp, fried to crispy brown perfection, glazed in a drunken, cinnamon-kissed peach reduction with just enough kick to keep your taste buds alive. It’s sweet, it’s heat, and it’s a total game-changer proving soul food has no limits.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

All of my early memories of food are not without my late grandmother, Ida Mae. Growing up, the entire family would meet at her house like a central hub and there was always food - Friday night for pinochle, Sunday family dinners, birthdays, holidays, etc. As a kid, I tried to stay in the kitchen with my grandmother while she cooked. Even volunteering to do the dishes, I couldn't be in the way if I was helping, right? :) I love bringing people together with food, like at Grandmom Ida's House.

What would you do with the $25,000?

$25K would be a great launchpad to help my dream of a traveling cooking show takeoff. I have some great ideas and would look to shoot a pilot. I would also pour into my baby fresh catering business to help market my brand. And of course, pay taxes, LOL

James Beard Foundation

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