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

Quarter-Finalist

Serge Shematsi

I'm from Africa, and I want to introduce my cultural foods to people who may never experience the rich flavors of Congo.

Currently 9

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 Poulet Mayo. It’s a beloved Congolese chicken dish made with tender chicken simmered in bell peppers, onion, blended seasonings and mayonnaise-based sauce. It's flavorful, comforting, and brings together the bold, vibrant tastes of Congo that I love sharing with others.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My culinary inspiration is my own desire to truly experience the joy of cooking. I don’t just want to eat food, I want to create it, build flavors from scratch, and bring dishes to life with my own hands. Cooking became a way for me to express myself and connect with my Congolese roots while sharing that creativity and joy with others.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won $25,000, I would invest it in making my dream of owning a restaurant a reality. I want to introduce more people to authentic Congolese and African cuisine and create a welcoming place where culture and food come together. This prize would help me grow my culinary vision into a successful business that brings people together through great food.

James Beard Foundation

Vote for Serge Shematsi 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