Molly Imboden

My signature dish is an airline chicken breast served with a velouté suprême sauce, herbed roasted mushrooms, garlic potato purée, and citrus herb roasted asparagus. I love this dish because it combines classical technique with comforting flavors. The crispy, juicy chicken paired with the rich and velvety sauce creates balance, while the mushrooms add earthiness and the asparagus brings brightness and freshness. It reflects my style: elevated comfort food made with attention

My culinary inspiration comes from the chefs who taught me in school. They showed me that being a chef is about more than cooking—it’s about passion, discipline, leadership, and creativity. Their dedication inspired me to push myself, grow my skills, and see food as a way to create comfort and connection. They helped me discover a passion I never expected to have and motivated me to pursue a future where I can lead, teach, and inspire others through food.

If I won the $25,000 prize, I would use it to continue my culinary education and invest in my future as a chef. It would help me further develop my skills, learn advanced techniques, attend culinary programs, and gain new experiences that would shape me into a stronger leader in the industry. My goal is to continue growing not only as a cook, but eventually as a mentor and educator who can inspire others through food.