Mallayna Whittington

What is your signature dish?

My favorite dish is Antiguan brown stew chicken with coconut jasmine rice, sweet ripe plantain, and creamy cooling coleslaw. Growing up in a Caribbean family, eating Chinese Canadian food, and being surrounded by Filipino friends and extended family shaped my love for cooking. As a teacher, I also learned so much from my students and the cultures they shared through food, inspiring me to explore flavors from around the world.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My mom is my greatest culinary inspiration. My family has always used food as the pinnacle of care, culture, comfort, and love. Many nights of debates, card games, and board games brought loved ones together through belly laughs and food that soothes the soul. Watching my mom do her own eloquent dance between the stove, sink, and fridge inspired me to step outside my boundaries and spread love through the gift of food.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won $25,000, I would invest back into my community through Wildly Balanced, an organization focused on helping people turn chaos into clarity. I want to teach families that progress matters more than perfection through accessible, time conscious food security methods, meal preparation systems, and community centered support that brings people together through comfort, culture, and care.