Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
Cooking is my language of love, the kitchen is my universe, and every dish I create tells a story without words.
You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!
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My signature dish is a Sri Lankan-inspired seafood stew. It’s warm, bold, a little spicy, and filled with layers of flavour that remind me of home, family, and gathering around the table.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My mom and dad are my greatest culinary inspirations. Through them, I learned that food is more than a meal — it’s love, tradition, and the heart of bringing people together.
What would you do with the $25,000?If I won the $25K, I would use it to create a space where people can come together through cooking, storytelling, and community. My sister Abby, who passed away, loved creating beautiful food in the kitchen. Cooking was one of the ways she coped with her mental health struggles and found peace, creativity, and connection. Honouring her through food feels deeply meaningful to me. I would love to create welcoming cooking experiences where people can learn, connect, heal, and simply feel less alone
Vote for Jaanu Varaprasatham 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.
