Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I left my corporate career to follow my dream! $25,000 would allow me to get into my own commercial kitchen space and hire help.
You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!
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I create a new artisanal cookie flavor inspired by an iconic song each month, in addition to my four core flavors: •Raspberry Beret (June flavor of the month: raspberries, dark chocolate, coconut) - Prince; •Million Dollar Chocolate Chip (the best chocolate chip cookie you will ever eat) - Marvin Gaye; •Chocoholic (ALL the chocolate) - Al Green; •CEO (like a boss, but also Cinnamon Enhanced Oatmeal) - Taylor Swift; •The OC (like the county, but also Orange Crush) - Shery
Who is your culinary inspiration?Ina Garten! I love that she is also a self-taught chef, and that she is able to elevate everyday comfort food and turn it into something that feels special and indulgent. I also appreciate the generosity and thoughtfulness displayed in her entertaining. I'd love to be invited to one of her dinners or soirees! It's the same goal I'm striving for with my musically-inspired cookies - to make eating one - or gifting one - feel like a decadent and unique multi-sensory experience.
What would you do with the $25,000?What wouldn't I do with it?! As a single mom and small business owner who left my comfortable corporate career to pursue my dream of entrepreneurship in the culinary realm, every single dollar counts. I'm currently working out of a shared commercial kitchen and would love to graduate to my own space, in addition to hiring some people to help me out with all of the day-to-day tasks and multiple hats I'm wearing.
Vote for Maria Bartos 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.
