Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000

Lenell Collins

17 years as a chef taught me great food creates love, memories, and connections that’s why I should be your favorite chef.

Currently 1

in their Group

Vote

You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!

The first cut is on Thursday the 11th of June at 7PM PDT

Want to learn more about our competition?

Learn More
Connect
What is your signature dish?

My signature dish would have to be my smoked Cornish hen. Over the years, I’ve developed a cooking style that blends my passion for smoking and grilling with refined sauté techniques. The result is a dish that’s rich, balanced, and full of character crispy skin, deep smoky flavor, and layers of seasoning that reflect both comfort and craftsmanship.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My culinary inspiration was my grandmother, Annie Ruth. In every meal she made, you could feel the love she had for our family. She taught me that food is more than flavor it’s comfort, connection, and tradition. The love she poured into cooking stayed with me for a lifetime, and now I hope to pass that same feeling on to my own children through my food.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I would use it to help buy a new home for my wife and our blended family. This industry comes with sacrifices, and my wife has given so much so I could continue chasing my dream. I want to give her a place where we can relax, create new memories, and fill our home with love, laughter, and great food. That would mean everything to me.

James Beard Foundation

Vote for Lenell Collins 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.


1 Vote
10 Votes
25 Votes
50 Votes
100 Votes
250 Votes
Other Amount

Enter donation - $1 per vote

Make onions cry

Sharpen your knives and show the world why you’re the Favorite Chef.

Learn More