Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
From Florida to Latin America, my food is a map of my journey. I’m a dedicated dad and chef ready to bring authentic passion to the plate.
You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!
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Ropa vieja. I started my career at a Latin restaurant named Emiliano’s in Gainesville, FL and really learned how to cook different types of Latin food.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My biggest inspiration is Norman Van Aken and the "Mango Gang". I lived in Costa Rica for 15 years so I found his pioneering approach to New World cuisine reflected my own feelings and experiences. It’s exactly how I love to mix vibrant, local Latin flavors. But his character stuck with me most. In a brutal industry, his poise, calm, and "nice guy" reputation are admirable to me. He proved you can change the culinary world and still treat people right.
What would you do with the $25,000?Winning this $25k would completely change the game for my business and my family. Professionally, it’s the launchpad I need to get a commercial kitchen space, which will allow my culinary company to take on more clients and scale up. On a personal level, every bit of the rest would go straight into a fund for my two young kids and their education. This prize would allow me to grow my business and show my kids what happens when you work hard towards your dreams.
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