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

Leslie Madariaga

I have had family and friends asking me to start a food truck for years. I would like to see if I’m good enough or to old at 60.

Currently 5

in their Group

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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

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What is your signature dish?

Grilled Asian Swordfish with pineapple/mango salsa-rice pilaf and grilled asparagus OR Beef and barely thick style soup but it truly depends on who I ask. I make kick ass dips, chicken curry salad. Spaghetti, stews and the latest winner is my shredded chicken egg roll ( still playing with recipes) but they disappeared. I bake a lot as well.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My first teachers, mom and grandma, I must have been 5 when I started to learn. I lost my mom to cancer, I was told Mother’s Day 1986, she was 47 and my grandma in 1990. Now professionally, YOU know Carla Hall is at the TOP since I first saw her on Top Chef Season 5. She’s real, funny and kooky like me at times. Then I also admire Masaharu Morimoto, Richard Blasé, Gordon Ramsey, Elizabeth Falkner, Cat Cora, Anne Burrell(RIP). Strong women and a few great men.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Pay off debt, do whatever I need to get the maintenance required light to turn off on the dashboard, save some for the grandkids. I’d love an Alaskan Cruise to see the Northern Lights but #LongviewStrong is first in my mind ❤️‍🩹

James Beard Foundation

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