Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
People deserve food they can trust. I’m building a vision rooted in real ingredients, care, and intention that deserves a place at the table
You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!
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My signature dish is called First Act. It began with a question I asked myself: what is the most honest way to start a day? That question led me back to the source and taught me that good food begins long before it reaches the plate—in the ingredients we choose, the time we’re willing to give them, and the care we bring to every step. Built around farm-sourced milk, handmade granola, and seasonal fruit, First Act reflects what I value most in cooking: origin, intention, and trust.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My inspiration comes from people who help us reconnect with food—farmers, bakers, fermenters, growers, and cooks who treat ingredients with care and respect. Their work reminds me that food is more than flavor; it’s a relationship between people, ingredients, time, and place. That’s where I find my inspiration.
What would you do with the $25,000?I would use the funding to bring FYI to life. At its heart is a simple idea: people deserve food they can trust. Food made with real ingredients, transparency, and genuine care. This opportunity would help me develop that vision, create products that reflect those values, and build a brand that helps people reconnect with what they’re eating and why it matters.
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