Bring The Flavor

One culinary creator will take home $25,000, appear in Taste of Home magazine, and cook with celebrity chef Carla Hall.

Register

CELEBRATING CHEFS

Since 2023, the Favorite Chef competition has been igniting the culinary world, uniting top chefs, passionate home cooks, and creative food artists in an epic showdown of skill and flavor—all while supporting James Beard Foundation!

CHEF’S PICK

THREE MORE WAYS TO WIN

Qualified Favorite Chef contenders will have the chance to showcase their skills and impress our featured celebrity chefs. Each expert will handpick one standout talent to win a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience.

Carla Hall

CARLA HALL

She rose to fame on "Top Chef" and "The Chew." Now, as host of her own HBO show “Chasing Flavor” and presenter of Favorite Chef, Hall continues to inspire with diverse cuisines, making cooking an irresistible adventure for all.

AARÓN SÁNCHEZ

AARÓN SÁNCHEZ

Award-winning chef and TV personality, Sánchez co-stars on MasterChef and hosts El Toque de Aarón. A James Beard award winner, he’s recognized as a leader for the Hispanic community by major organizations.

ANDREW ZIMMERN

ANDREW ZIMMERN

Celebrated chef, TV personality, and James Beard Award-winning host, this culinary icon is known for his adventurous palate and cultural curiosity. Best known for Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, he has traveled the globe showcasing unique cuisines.

Celebrate, Support & Elevate

Colossal has proudly raised over $9.5M for the James Beard Foundation through the annual Favorite Chef competition. This campaign cultivates a community of chefs supporting chefs—bolstering JBF's transformative programs that promote inclusivity and sustainability. The James Beard Foundation leads chefs and the broader culinary industry towards a new standard of excellence.

Learn More

Previous Favorite Chef

KEYANA JADALI

Lawyer-turned-chef and first-generation Iranian American, chef Jadali's path to culinary success is inspiring. After realizing her true passion lay far from the confines of legal documents, she enrolled in culinary school and has since worked in Michelin-starred restaurants. She is now a personal chef in the Bay Area.

Previous Favorite Chef and 2025 Host

KAREN ‘Chef Kay’ JENKINS

From humble beginnings, Chef Jenkin’s passion for cooking was fueled by a heart to serve others. Through unwavering support from her fans, including overseas military members and ICU nurses, she soared to the top. This blessed chef’s victory resonates beyond the prize, “It's more about what we were able to do for others, including up-and-coming cooks.”

Previous Favorite Chef

Chef Sémone Hopkins

Chef Sémone Hopkins, an Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) and Culinary Institute of Virginia (CIV) alumna. Chef Hopkins is rapidly growing two small businesses proving that hard work, talent, and drive can bring great success. “After the win, I received so much press attention, have been featured in newspapers, and have been interviewed on popular podcasts.”

Bring Home The Bacon

$25,000 and the pages of Taste of Home are on the line. Who will be the next Favorite Chef?


Registration is Free

SPONSORED BY

JOHN BOOS & CO.

Since 1887, John Boos has been a trusted provider of high-quality cutting boards, butcher blocks, and work spaces that have inspired home cooks, chefs, and food service industry workers for generations.

Kitchen Essentials

SPONSORED BY

SHUN CUTLERY

Shun is the premier brand of authentic Japanese cutlery. Blending tradition, innovation, and precision, Shun knives deliver unrivaled sharpness, empowering chefs and home cooks to elevate every meal with exceptional tools.

Handcrafted Japanese Chef Knives

SPONSORED BY

SCANPAN

For over 60 years, SCANPAN® has been manufacturing fine Danish cookware that combines exceptional quality and performance with inspired design. Founded in 1956, the company is committed to safe, sustainable cookware.

Safe Nonstick Cookware

Powered by Colossal

Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Favorite Chef, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.

Learn More