Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I bring passion, creativity, and heart to the kitchen. My food tells a story, feeds the soul, and makes people feel at home. Choose me!
Want to learn more about our competition?
Learn MoreWant to be notified if their position changes?
Receive Text UpdatesJerk-Spiced Short Rib with Plantain Purée, Mango-Avocado Salsa, Crispy Scotch Bonnet Oil
Who is your culinary inspiration?My grandma This dish is for my grandma. She used to make jerk everything over a coal fire in Jamaica — the smell would fill the whole yard before dinner was even ready. I took that same jerk spice and slowed it down on short rib, paired it with plantain purée for the comfort she always gave us, and topped it with mango-avocado salsa for that freshness you get in the Caribbean.
What would you do with the $25,000?If I won $25,000, I’d go back to school and invest it in formal culinary training. I’ve learned a lot on my own and in the kitchen, but I want the technique, discipline, and theory that only a top program can give you. My goal is to take what I know about Caribbean flavors and bring it to a higher level — so I can run my own kitchen one day and put Jamaican food on a fine dining plate. For me, this isn’t about starting over. It’s about building the foundation
Vote for Mary Camp 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.
