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

Paula Lumpkin

Cooking is my passion and my peace. I create meals from the soul that bring comfort, love, and unforgettable flavor.

Currently 14

in their Group

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

The first cut is on Thursday the 11th of June at 7PM PDT

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What is your signature dish?

I don’t believe I have just one signature dish. Every meal I create is made with love, creativity, and soul, which makes each dish special and delicious in its own way.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

As the youngest of twelve, my mother was my greatest culinary inspiration. Before she passed in 2018, she taught me how to create meaningful meals from almost nothing. She cooked with love, strength, and creativity, showing me that food is more than nourishment — it is connection, resilience, and heart. Every dish I create carries her spirit, “from my mother’s fingertips to God’s taste buds and lips.”

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to open a food truck in my mother’s name to honor her legacy and keep her spirit alive through food, family, and community.

James Beard Foundation

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