Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
Bringing Guyanese flavors into the modern age with Italian technique and science, cooking from the heart not for the money for the Culture.
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My signature dish is a modern take on classic Guyanese pepperpot: slow-braised, deeply spiced meat enriched with cassareep, paired with creamy garlic polenta inspired by my Italian training. I balance bold Caribbean flavors with refined European technique, focusing on texture, controlled heat, and layered aromatics to create something both nostalgic and unmistakably contemporary.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My greatest inspirations are my grandmother and my mom. They cooked with instinct, love, and no measuring cups—just memory and feel. Watching them stretch simple ingredients into deeply flavorful meals taught me that food is culture, comfort, and creativity. Every dish I make is my way of honoring their legacy while pushing our family flavors into a new, modern chapter.
What would you do with the $25,000?I would invest the $25,000 in developing a small, modern Guyanese concept—pop-ups, supper clubs, and packaged sauces—that introduce our flavors to a wider audience. The funds would support equipment, product testing, and licensing so I can build a sustainable platform for Guyanese cuisine, create opportunities for others, and prove our food deserves a permanent place on the global stage.
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