Teresa Fortino

My culinary signature dish is Calabrese pasta and meatballs, made from a treasured family recipe passed down through three generations. Growing up in an Italian family, I learned that great food is about more than ingredients — it’s about love, tradition, and bringing people together around the table. I make my pasta from scratch by hand, just as I was taught, and the sauce is slow-cooked for hours to develop the rich, comforting flavors that remind me of home.

My greatest culinary inspiration is my mother — a hardworking Italian woman who taught me that the heart of cooking is love, tradition, and family. Growing up, I spent countless hours beside her in the kitchen, learning the importance of patience, passion, and using food to bring people together. Her recipes, techniques, and work ethic shaped not only the chef I became, but the person I am today.

I would put part of the money toward expanding my culinary goals, creating new opportunities, and sharing my family’s recipes and traditions with more people. I would also use it to support my children and create lasting memories with my family, because they are the reason I work so hard every day.