Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
Being chosen as Favorite Chef would help me launch my culinary concept to serve and uplift the Jacksonville community.
You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!
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Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin |Bourbon Maple Gastrique | Charred Broccolini | Pickled Peach | Cornbread Puree | Candied Pecan Dust | Fresh Herbs
Who is your culinary inspiration?My culinary inspiration is my cousin, Chef Kendell Sheppard. A chef-owner whose passion, discipline, and leadership inspired me to pursue cooking professionally. I started out washing dishes at a restaurant where he was the Sous Chef, and watching him lead the kitchen sparked my love for the culinary world. Over the years, I watched him help run several successful restaurants before opening his own place, proving that hard work, consistency, and dedication can turn a dream into reality.
What would you do with the $25,000?With the $25,000, I would invest in launching my culinary concept focused on serving and uplifting the Jacksonville community through food, culture, and hospitality. I’d use the funds for equipment, licensing, pop-up events, and community outreach programs that create opportunities for others who are passionate about the culinary industry. My goal is to build something that not only delivers great food, but also inspires and brings people together.
Vote for Keith Simmons Aka Chef Keef De Way to be the next Favorite Chef while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote below, or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting the James Beard Foundation and their mission to lead chefs and the broader culinary industry toward a new standard of excellence.
Limited-time: 2X donation votes ends on Wed 6/17 at 9PM PDT
