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

Toni Righi

I have a love and passion for cooking. I’m always excited to try the next recipe or idea. My dream someday is to have my own restaurant.

Currently 4

in their Group

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You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!

The first cut is on Thursday the 11th of June at 7PM PDT

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What is your signature dish?

My signature dish is usually whatever I am currently obsessed with perfecting. For me, the heart of cooking isn't in repeating the same recipe, but in the thrill of the “chase”-taking a complex technique or a new flavor profile and refining it until it's flawless. My signature is my commitment to constant improvement and the curiosity I bring to every plate.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

While my father sparked my initial interest, my true culinary inspiration is the power of a shared table. I view cooking as my primary love language —a way to transform a meal into a moment of belonging. My journey has taught me the value of community, and I strive to cook with a level of care that turns friends into family and houses into homes.

What would you do with the $25,000?

The $25,000 would serve as the founding capital for my future food truck and event planning venture. I've spent my life using food as a love language to create family; now, I want to turn that passion into a professional reality. This prize would allow me to invest in the equipment and branding necessary to provide top-tier culinary experiences for celebrations, gatherings, and community events.

James Beard Foundation

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