Marie Batista Medeiros

Alcatra a portugese dish shown me by my grandma and mommy deeply comforting, slow-braised pot roast made with various cuts of bone-in beef, smoky bacon, garlic, and onions, all simmered for hours in red or white wine and whole spices until the meat falls apart.

My greatest culinary inspiration has always been my mother. She taught me that food is so much more than what’s on a plate — it’s love, sacrifice, comfort, and connection. Some of my earliest memories are of watching her cook with patience and heart, turning simple ingredients into meals that brought everyone together. She never cooked for recognition; she cooked to care for the people she loved. That passion and selflessness shaped the way I see food today.

I would use the $25,000 to help secure long-term care for my mom after her battle with stage 3 colon cancer left her bedridden. I’d also help my brother, who put his life on hold to care for our family. The rest would go toward my dream of opening my own restaurant — a place built on love, resilience, and bringing people together through food. This opportunity would give my family hope during an incredibly difficult time.