jessica sagun

Connect What is your signature dish?

Basmati and Sweet Corn "Risotto" with Shrimp and Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette Every chef has a dish that feels like home. This is mine. Creamy brown basmati rice, slowly cooked with sweet corn and finished with charred kernels, is paired with perfectly roasted shrimp and brightened with a smoked tomato vinaigrette and fresh basil. Every ingredient is chosen because it belongs here, at this moment in the season.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My greatest inspiration comes from the women in my life. My grandmother taught me that food is about joy, hospitality, and bringing people together. My mother showed me strength, perseverance, and how to care for others even when life is difficult. Along the way, other remarkable women have challenged, encouraged, and shaped me. Their creativity, grit, generosity, and love are reflected in every dish I serve. I don't just cook to feed people,I cook to make them feel welcomed, valued, and at home

What would you do with the $25,000?

After rebuilding my restaurant multiple times through floods, renovations, and financial challenges, $25,000 would provide breathing room to invest in equipment, staff development, and growth instead of simply surviving. It would help us continue building a place where people gather, connect, and feel welcome. More than anything, it would allow us to keep creating opportunities, serving our community, and proving that resilience, collaboration, and great food can make a difference.