Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
Gullah Geechee cooking rooted in healing and heritage. Mama of two turning tradition into soulful, healthy meals on a tight budget.
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Receive Text UpdatesMy signature dish is Charleston red rice with braised oxtail and collard greens, layered with smoked turkey, peppers, onions, garlic, and soulful Gullah Geechee flavor that tells the story of home, heritage, and comfort.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My culinary inspiration is rooted in Gullah Geechee and southern food traditions passed down through my Granny’s cooking, rice dishes, and meals made from what was grown close to home. I find joy in reconnecting with the land my ancestors helped cultivate by growing food in my own garden and creating soulful, healthy dishes that honor heritage, creativity, and community.
What would you do with the $25,000?$25,000 would help me invest in a Gullah Geechee wellness and community space in Columbia, SC inspired by the tradition of the neighborhood sweet shop — a place where food, herbalism, culture, and connection come together. Through soulful meals, ancestral food practices, herbs, and community gathering, I want to create a space that honors my heritage while teaching that food can nourish, heal, and bring people together.
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