Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
Ive been a yacht chef for a decade, had my own taco food truck and work as a yacht chef. I want to open a sea to table. I am passionate!
Want to learn more about our competition?
Learn MoreWant to be notified if their position changes?
Receive Text UpdatesI have lived in Italy, Baja, Mexico and Guatemala. And traveled to many countries to eat and learn my cooking style. I love complex salsas and creating deep sauces like moles or my tomatillo salsa and a simmering rich bolognese or a seafood paella! My signature dish is fettucine alla vongole!
Who is your culinary inspiration?I adore travel and having to create a meal on what is available, being creative and expressive. I enjoy Bobby Flay, Jacque Pepan, Lidia for her simplicity, and of course, Carla!!!!
What would you do with the $25,000?I would open my own ocean to table on floating restaurant! I love the ocean and cooking. with inspiration from my travels! I had a bad bicycle accident and broke my ankle. Im all healed, but spent time just cooking at home. I couldnt work on yachts because of the physical strain. So, Im excited to get cooking again on my floating restaurant!
Vote for Maya 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.