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

Phyllis Baca-Flores

Mexican and Hillbilly roots combined with culinary curiosity give my dishes heaps of country cooking sprinkled with gourmet flair.

Currently 5

in their Group

Vote

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

Want to learn more about our competition?

Learn More
What is your signature dish?

Orozco Special. It is Grannie's signature dish. A secret pork stew served over rolled cheese-filled corn tortillas, topped with shredded lettuce. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My Grannie. A hillbilly of Cherokee descent, she married a Mexican coal miner in Kentucky. Grandpa spoke minimal English, and Grannie spoke no Spanish. I was 12 before I realized she was not Mexican. She was fluent in both Spanish and Mexican cuisine. Her blend of Southern and Hispanic recipes sets her food apart, and I was blessed to work with her in the kitchen both at home and in the family restaurant. From tamales to biscuits and gravy, Grannie wielded a magical spoon in the kitchen.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I am an Indie writer. I would finish and publish the recipe/stories book that I am currently working on, and use the money for marketing expenses. The book includes stories about who and where the recipes came from, as well as my own concoctions as I venture outside family favorites and comfort zones, using Grannie's sense of adventure to experiment with flavors.

James Beard Foundation

Vote for Phyllis Baca-Flores 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