4 local chefs advance in national competition with celebrity chef Carla Hall

UPDATE: All four local chefs made it through to the Top 10 round on July 6. Voting for next round, in which only the top five chefs in each group advance, ends at 7 p.m. July 13.

In the past couple of weeks, chefs across the country have been vying for votes in a national competition that could win them $25,000 and a two-page advertorial in "Taste of Home" magazine. Plus, this year’s Favorite Chef competition is hosted by celebrity chef (and former Top Chef contestant) Carla Hall and she gets to pick her own winner, in addition to the people’s choice.

The competition is one of those run by Colossal (which also offers the America’s Favorite Pet and Tony Hawk’s Skatepark Hero contests) on behalf of nonprofits DTCare and the James Beard Foundation. While some votes are free, fans can also purchase votes for their favorite.

The local chefs, and the others up for Favorite Chef, have made it through two rounds of voting – but it does get tougher from here. The chefs are organized into four groups and only the Top 10 in each will advance when the next round of voting ends on July 6. Here’s a look at the contestants in the Wilmington area.

Jack Tanksley: This former chef and California wine executive is now working on a unique restaurant concept for Wilmington that will pair wine with dishes made with edible flowers. Tuna nachos enhanced with a hibiscus-and-rosehip sauce, for example. If he wins, Tanksley said the money could definitely help him in that goal. He’s also been constantly working on new recipes and photos to post as the competition for Favorite Chef continues.

Karen Taylor Hicks: Many locals may be familiar with this chef from her work at the former Taylor Cuisine Café and Catering in Southport. Although she’s moved away from the hospitality industry for the time being, those who follow her on social media know she is still cooking up a storm. Hicks said that if she wins, she’d like to secure a small food truck to do special events and catering.

More: Freedom and cocktails: 14 food-and-drink events happening in July in the Wilmington area

Chimére Allen: Allen is the owner of the Shallotte-based Premier Catering, which has been in business for four years working across Southeastern North Carolina, as well as the Myrtle Beach area. Food allows her to express her creativity and represent her West Indian roots. Among her favorite dishes to prepare are stewed oxtails, coconut peas and rice and fried plantains. If Allen win, she wants to invest more into her business, and possibly expand into the retail market.

Kory Sanderlin: Many local fans know Sanderlin as the former owner of M&K’s Kitchen in Leland, or through the SMASH-N-DASH food truck he operates with Danny Pasillas. Part of his mission is to help feed the community through his BareNecessities of NC non-profit organization. And, if Sanderlin wins, he said the money would go to a new food trailer/ hunger response unit that could visit local food deserts.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her ataballard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 'Favorite chef' with Carla Hall features Wilmington, NC, chefs