Winner will appear in Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall, and take home $25,000
After losing my dad to violence, I’m using our shared love for food to pivot. My back may be giving out, but my drive to cook never will.
You decide who will appear in Taste of Home magazine, and win $25,000!
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My signature is my Traditional Pork Butt, which recently earned a 3rd place finish in competition. I focus on "elevated" barbecue, using professional techniques and a custom-built, large-volume offset smoker to achieve a level of quality that surpasses standard takeout.
Who is your culinary inspiration?My primary inspiration is my father, Joshua Teel. We shared a profound love for food, and I am now using that connection to pivot my life and career. Beyond family, I am inspired by the community and teamwork within my barbecue team, Smoking Phaties, where I collaborate with my teammates Chris, Cosmo, and Gary to refine our craft.
What would you do with the $25,000?I would invest the funds into The Thrax Patch LLC, expanding my lifestyle brand and integrating it further with my culinary ventures. A significant portion would go toward completing my mobile kitchen trailer, which I am currently building to include a full electrical panel, generator, air compressor, and industrial refrigeration. These funds would allow me to transition from a Maintenance Tech role to a full-time career in the food industry, honoring my father's memory through a professional ba
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