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

Quarter-Finalist

Ryan C Saldivar

When my mother passed, I had two choices: lose myself or lose myself in cooking. Food became my voice, my healing, my purpose.

Currently 7

in the Quarter-Finals

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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

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What is your signature dish?

The first dish I ever perfected was Cajun Chicken Pasta. Growing up, me and my mom saw pasta as “rich people food.” Whenever we had a little extra money, Olive Garden was our special place. I taught myself this dish because I wanted us to have that feeling at home. Over time, it became personal. If I cook this for you, it means I truly love you, value you, and consider you family.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

Action Bronson and Matty Matheson made me realize cooking was deeper than just recipes and food. They showed me there’s emotion, culture, chaos, personality, and soul behind every dish. They made me understand cooking could be loud, imperfect, creative, and still mean something real. That changed the way I look at food forever.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to continue building my dream of opening my own restaurant and growing the food brand I’ve worked so hard to create. Cooking has always been my purpose. Eleven months ago, I survived a motorcycle accident that changed my life and forced me to rebuild everything from the ground up. This opportunity wouldn’t just help my business — it would help me keep fighting for the dream I never gave up on.

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