Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I should be Favorite Chef because I turn passion, soul, and life experience into meals that comfort, heal, and bring people together.
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Receive Text UpdatesMy signature dish is smothered okra — a taste of love with Southern soul and a New Orleans touch. I build the flavor with the holy trinity, rich seasoning, patience, and love. I can prepare seafood okra, but because I’m allergic to shellfish, I also make a chicken and sausage version for those who can’t eat seafood. It may look simple, but when done right, it tells a story.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My culinary inspiration comes from family, culture, and life itself. I was drawn to cooking as a teenager, and over time it became more than a skill — it became peace, therapy, and a way to serve others. I’m inspired by the people who cook with love, stretch what they have, and still create meals that make others feel valued.
What would you do with the $25,000?I would use the $25,000 to build a food brand rooted in soul, healing, and community. Cooking has carried me through hard seasons and given me a way to pour love into others when words were not enough. I’d invest in equipment, licensing, marketing, and pop-up events so I can share food that honors my family, my New Orleans roots, my service, and the legacy I’m still building.
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