Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
From tour buses to private estates, I’ve spent 25 years creating unforgettable meals. Food is how I care for people and express myself.
You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!
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My signature dish is connection. Over the last 25 years as a chef, I’ve learned that the most memorable meals are about more than food. Whether cooking for touring artists, private families, or special events, I create dishes that bring people together, spark conversation, and leave lasting memories.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My culinary inspiration comes from many places: my mom, music, Frida Kahlo’s fruit paintings, Japanese books on color, travel, scents, and memories. I am forever indebted to all the chefs who took time to teach me. I admire Diane Kennedy’s dedication to research and authenticity, and Dominique Crenn’s ability to weave art, emotion, and experience into a single dish. Most of all, I’m inspired by one pristine ingredient. I like to listen to it, let it show me what it wants
What would you do with the $25,000?I would travel, write, and create. There is no better food education than experiencing a dish where it was born. I dream of exploring China,Korea, and SE Asian learning through markets, street food, home kitchens, and regional traditions. The rest would help me grow my private chef business and give me the time to document the stories, recipes, and experiences that continue to inspire my cooking.
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