Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
Chef. Entrepreneur. Former Le Mari Restaurant Owner. Creating unforgettable culinary experiences that bring people together.
You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!
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My signature is seasonally driven, technique-focused cooking that feels fresh, elegant, and deeply memorable. I’m inspired by the best ingredients available in the moment—coastal seafood, peak-season produce, bright herbs, beautiful sauces—and I let precision, balance, and restraint lead the dish. My food is polished but never fussy, creative but always grounded in flavor.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My culinary inspiration comes from travel, the ocean, and the energy of a great dining room. I’m inspired by chefs who cook with restraint and confidence, but even more by the people at the table—how food can turn a simple meal into a memory. My style blends global flavors, seasonal ingredients, and the belief that hospitality should feel both polished and personal.
What would you do with the $25,000?I’d use the $25,000 to keep growing The Current Location through seasonal pop-up dinners that bring people together around beautifully executed food while supporting local vendors. I’d continue building a business rooted in hospitality, creativity, & connection, and donate a portion to the American Cancer Society my & to the Brookline Food Pantry.
Vote for Leigh Whittaker 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.
