Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I cook with heart—honoring my dad, growing my skills, and turning passion into purpose through every dish I create.
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My signature dish is Puerto Rican comfort food: arroz con gandules, slow-roasted pernil, and homemade potato salad. It’s the kind of meal that brings people together and feels like home. I take pride in creating dishes full of flavor, tradition, and love while adding my own personal touch that keeps people coming back for seconds.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My biggest culinary inspiration is my father. He taught me that food is more than a meal—it’s comfort, culture, and love. Watching him bring people together through cooking inspired my passion for creating dishes that feel memorable and personal. His influence is behind every recipe I make, from homemade comfort food to the creative horror-inspired treats I dream up today.
What would you do with the $25,000?Winning $25,000 would help me invest in my dream of building my food business, “Killer Kravings by Loki,” blending baked goods, comfort food, and creative horror-inspired treats. As a hardworking single mom, it would also provide stability for my family while helping me purchase equipment, build my brand, and finally turn my passion for cooking into something lasting.
Vote for Krystal Lee Romero 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.
