Kristy Stratton

My signature dish is Deployment Soup. A hearty bone broth soup with Italian sausage, Yukon Gold potatoes, and Lacinato kale, served with garlic-brushed Italian toast points. It began as a family tradition requested by my son before every military deployment and when he returned home. Over time, it became a favorite in our family restaurant, where soldiers gave it its name. This soup represents comfort, love, resilience, and the power of food to bring people home.

My greatest culinary inspiration is my family and the life experiences that shaped me. My Aunt Rose sparked my love of cooking at age 8. In my teens, Nancy kept that dream alive. I’ve spent my life traveling the world, tasting food, and cooking which has deepened my appreciation for flavor and culture. I cook to connect, comfort, love, and tell stories through food, turning simple ingredients into meaningful, memorable dishes that bring people together.

I would be humbled and grateful to use the money to assist local veterans and invest in growing my artisan culinary business which supports charity meals focused on food insecurity, and creates more opportunities to bring people together through food. This prize would help transform years of hard work, creativity, and community connection into sustainable ventures, allowing me to share meaningful recipes, stories, and experiences with a wider audience all while benefiting veterans.