Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000

Quarter-Finalist

Missy Jones

The $25,000 and Taste of Home feature would help me preserve Appalachian cooking traditions and share them with an even larger audience.

Currently 7

in the Quarter-Finals

Vote

You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!

Voting for Semi-Finalists ends Thursday the 23rd of July at 7PM PDT

Want to learn more about our competition?

Learn More
Connect
What is your signature dish?

My signature dish is homemade cathead biscuits made with simple ingredients, including old-fashioned lard. They represent everything I love about cooking—simple food. Growing up in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, lard was what families had on hand, and it created the flaky, tender biscuits that became a staple of Appalachian cooking. More than just a recipe, these biscuits tell the story of my roots.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My greatest culinary inspirations are my Mommy, Anna Ruth, my Aunt Patty, and the generations of Appalachian women who came before me. They taught me that good food isn’t about fancy ingredients or professional training. I’m also inspired by Dolly Parton. While she’s not known first as a chef, she has shared her love for cooking and now has launched her own brands and cookbook.

What would you do with the $25,000?

$25,000 would help me grow Mountain Cookin’ with Missy and pursue a dream I’ve had for years—creating products that reflect my love of Appalachian cooking and heritage.

James Beard Foundation

Vote for Missy Jones 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.


1 Vote
10 Votes
25 Votes
50 Votes
100 Votes
250 Votes
Other Amount

Enter donation - $1 per vote

Make onions cry

Sharpen your knives and show the world why you’re the Favorite Chef.

Learn More