WiHi graduate chasing big dreams competing for “Favorite Chef” title

SALISBURY, Md. – One Salisbury native is vying to be named the “2024 Favorite Chef.” It’s an online competition connected with celebrity chef Carla Hall and the James Beard Foundation.

“I found it randomly, I was actually on break at work, I was scrolling and I saw that one of my favorite chefs Carla Hall was hosting this little online competition,” says Nakylah Hayes, 26.

Nakylah has broken into the top 10 of the “Favorite Chef” competition. The winner will be featured on the cover of Taste of Home magazine, cook with Carla Hall and take home $25,000.

“I wanna use this money to invest in myself and my own business because that is a dream of mine,” she explains.

She dreams of owning her own food truck one day. It’s a dream that started when she was just four.

“I started cooking with my grandma and my mom, other family members and from there I went to culinary school.”

The Wicomico High School graduate is currently a lead cook, having already spent almost ten years cooking professionally. Nakylah says she comes alive in the kitchen.

“When I’m in the kitchen, that’s when I express myself creatively. I’m able to put my personality on a plate.”

Chef Carla Hall’s involvement with the competition only makes it sweeter. as she has provided inspiration for Nakylah through the years.

“When I saw this lady with the big curly hair and someone around my skin tone, and she’s someone that seems to be true to themselves, like the quirkiness and being true to themselves, I kinda felt something like that resonated with me.”

Nakylah says if she takes home the big win it won’t just be for her, “I wanna give back to my community to make it better for the generation that comes after me.”

The next round of voting ends next Thursday at 10 PM EST. After that they’ll narrow it down to the top five contestants. You can vote once for free or if you make a donation to the James Beard Foundation, you get additional votes. The Foundation provides resources for america’s food and beverage professionals.

Visit Nakylah’s page to cast your vote here.