The Favorite Chef competition brings together thousands of chefs, home cooks, and culinary creators to compete for the ultimate prize while raising awareness for the James Beard Foundation.
DOLLARS RAISED FOR JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION SINCE 2023
$14,606,950
The James Beard Foundation celebrates, supports, and elevates the people behind America’s food culture. Favorite Chef is proud to support their mission to create a more equitable and sustainable future in the restaurant industry.
Since 2023, Favorite Chef® has ignited the culinary world, bringing together seasoned chefs, passionate home cooks, and creative foodies for an unforgettable showdown of skill, creativity, and heart. With national recognition and a coveted feature in Taste of Home—America’s #1 cooking magazine—on the line, this is where culinary talent rises.
Favorite Chef Ambassador
Carla Hall
Known for her standout appearance on Top Chef and as a fan favorite on The Chew, Carla Hall is a celebrated voice in the culinary world. Now, as a co-host on Chewed Up, she continues to champion bold flavors, joyful cooking, and the power of bringing people together through food.
2026 CHAMPION
JOSEPH SOTOMAYOR
Inspired by his family’s Southwest and Mexican catering business, Chef Joseph has spent 13 years running a popular food truck in Tucson, Arizona. Community-driven at heart, he lights up everywhere from neighborhood spots to the local VA hospital with bold, memorable flavors.
HALL OF FAME
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![Sémone Hopkins: Favorite Chef 2021]()
Sémone Hopkins
2021 CHAMPION
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![Favorite Chef Runner-Up: Pete O'Bryne]()
Pete O'Byrne
2021 FINALIST
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![Quin Butler: Favorite Chef 2021 Runner-Up]()
Quin Butler
2021 FINALIST
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![2021 Favorite Chef Runner-Up: Amy Coram]()
Amy Coram
2021 FINALIST
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![Colossal Favorite Chef Winner]()
Karen Jenkins
2023 CHAMPION
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![Colossal Favorite Chef Runner-Up]()
Missy Ryan
2023 FINALIST
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![Colossal Favorite Chef Finalist]()
Carmen Riley
2023 FINALIST
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![Colossal Favorite Chef Finalist 2023]()
Braunda Smith
2023 FINALIST
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![Colossal Favorite Chef Finalist 2023]()
Catherine DiQuinzio
2023 FINALIST
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![Colossal Favorite Chef finalist 2023]()
Katheryn Hanson
2023 FINALIST
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![Colossal Favorite Chef finalist 2023]()
Ada Zhang
2023 FINALIST
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![Colossal Favorite Chef Finalist 2023]()
Abeoler Lewis
2023 FINALIST
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Keyana Jadali
2024 CHAMPION
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Lillian Cumic
2024 FINALIST
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Andrea Turner
2024 FINALIST
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Tara Middleton
2024 FINALIST
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![Colossal Favorite Chef 2025 Derek Astorino]()
Derek Astorino
2025 CHAMPION
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![Colossal Favorite Chef 2025 Eleni]()
Chef Eleni
2025 FINALIST
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![Colossal Favorite Chef 2025 Monique Small]()
Monique Small
2025 FINALIST
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![Colossal's Favorite Chef 2026 Joseph Sotomayor]()
Joseph Sotomayor
2026 CHAMPION
Critic’s Pick
Chef Dhanapol
Chef Dhanapol elevates Thai cuisine through a blend of tradition and innovation. Inspired by his mother’s cooking, his Thai Phla Beef on Crispy Rice Cracker is a masterful display of balance: charcoal-grilled beef tossed with local herbs, Thai eggplant, roasted chili, and crispy kaffir lime leaf.
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