Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
I cook to honor my mom’s legacy. Winning would help me open a restaurant and share the love she taught me to put into every single meal.
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My signature is versatility. I don't limit myself to one dish because my passion lies in mastering diverse flavor profiles. Whether it’s the heat of Caribbean spices or the precision of a classic sear, my 'signature' is the ability to execute any cuisine with high-level technique and soul.
Who is your culinary inspiration?As the only son in a family of five, my mother made sure I was never a stranger to the kitchen. She taught me that cooking is the ultimate form of independence and love. Since her passing, every dish I create is a tribute to her spirit. I cook to keep her memory alive, ensuring that every person who eats my food gets a genuine taste of the soul and technique she passed down to me.
What would you do with the $25,000?I will use the funds to open a restaurant centered on the concept of 'culinary remembrance.' By naming signature sauces and dishes after my mother and other loved ones, I aim to turn my professional kitchen into a lasting tribute to their influence on my life and craft.
Vote for Will Dauden 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.
