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

Quarter-Finalist

Reena Sharma Ramlakhan

“I transform culture, love, and family traditions into unforgettable meals that bring people together.”

Currently 10

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 my elevated Guyanese curry creations. Food has always been more than food to me—it has been comfort during difficult times, celebration during joyful moments, and love shared around the table. I take the bold flavors and traditions I grew up with and bring them to life through a modern approach that respects where I come from. Every dish I create carries a story, a memory, and a piece of my heart.”

Who is your culinary inspiration?

“My greatest inspiration comes from the strong women and men in my life and my Guyanese roots. I watched love being poured into meals long before I understood recipes. I learned that cooking was never simply about feeding people—it was about healing, bringing families together, and creating memories that last long after the plates are cleared. That lesson became the foundation of who I am as Chef SweetLadyR.”

What would you do with the $25,000?

Winning $25,000 would be life-changing. I would invest in expanding Chef SweetLadyR, growing my spice line, purchasing equipment, and creating larger opportunities to share Guyanese and Caribbean-inspired cuisine with the world. More than anything, it would help turn years of sacrifice, determination, and passion into something that creates a lasting legacy for my family and community.”

James Beard Foundation

Vote for Reena Sharma Ramlakhan 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