Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I want to be the Favorite Chef because I’d like to start my own food business to be able to share more of my food passion with the public.
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My signature dish is braised oxtail served with arroz con coco and sweet plantain. This dish represents the blend of cultures in my family while also still allowing me to bring my own creativity and style into the kitchen.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My greatest culinary inspiration is my grandmother. She immigrated from Colombia in the 70’s without knowing English and started working in kitchens to build a life for her family. Through her determination and passion, she eventually opened up a Colombian restaurant in NYC. I grew up beside her in the kitchen, helping her grind meat and corn from scratch to make arepas and empanadas learning firsthand traditions behind certain recipes. Watching her cook taught me food is more than a meal.
What would you do with the $25,000?If I won the $25,000 prize, I would use it to start my own food business and share my food with the public. Growing up in the kitchen with my grandmother inspired me to continue her passion for bringing people together through food. While I don’t want to open a traditional restaurant, I would love to build a catering business or eventually launch a food truck that highlights cultural flavors with a Colombian twist.
Vote for Kirstie Camacho 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.
