Favorite Chef 2024: Richmond resident inspired by grandma desires to win whole shebang
RICHMOND — Chef Temmeka Moore's roots run deep in Dinwiddie County. Her culinary journey began In the rural heartlands of Dewitt inspired by her grandmother who instilled in her a profound appreciation for fresh ingredients and the art of cooking.
"From those early days spent in my grandma's kitchen where Brunswick stew, a beloved Virginia treasure, was a staple, I learned the importance of tradition and the joy of creating comforting dishes that bring people together," Moore said.
The chef with a deep-routed passion for cooking now resides in Richmond and works in Reston. She started from the ground up and rose to executive chef at age 25. With 25 years of experience in the culinary industry, cooking is not just a career but her life's devotion and greatest love.
"I am proud of Temmeka for chasing her passion. She left home to find what she loved and came back a chef," Moore's mom, Gwendolyn Moore of Petersburg, said. "Certainly not surprising because as a little girl, she loved her grandma's cooking."
Carla Hall presents Favorite Chef 2024
The heat is on, and Moore is currently participating in the online competition Favorite Chef 2024 presented by Carla P. Hall. Only one chef or home cook will appear on the cover of Taste of Home, take home $25,000 and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime cooking experience with Hall, an American chef, television personality and former model who appeared in Bravo's cooking competition shows "Top Chef" and "Top Chef: All Stars." Hall was also a co-host for seven years on ABC's The Chew.
"Today, my inspiration stems from the endless diversity of global cuisine. I am constantly amazed by the myriad flavors and techniques waiting to be explored," Moore said. "My dream is to harness this culinary diversity, infusing it with my own style and creativity to craft dishes that resonate with both tradition and innovation."
As she approaches a new chapter at age 43, she finds herself contemplating the next step in her culinary journey. With a desire to transition from daily operations to entrepreneurship, she envisions starting a small food business.
"It's a dream nurtured by years of dedication and a deep-seated love for culinary arts. This endeavor would not only support me but also afford me the opportunity to return to school and further refine my technical expertise," Moore said.
Moore credits the Dinwiddie, Washington D.C. and Richmond communities for shaping her culinary identity and influencing her cooking style and philosophy.
"Participating in Favorite Chef 2024 is not just a chance to showcase my skills but also a tribute to the communities that have supported and inspired me throughout my career," Moore said. "Let's come together to appreciate the rich tapestry of culinary talent that defines our region and honors our culinary heritage."
Favorite Chef 2024: Who will win $25K?
What would Moore, currently a Favorite Chef 2024 quarter-finalist, do with $25,000 if she wins? The self-proclaimed boot strap chef desires to put the winnings in a business account and buy a food cart.
"I feel being in operations for the last 25 years is coming to its end," Moore said. "I would love to be able to start my own little food cart to support myself and actually go back to school and learn more about the technical part of cooking. I would love to polish and refine my art and expand my wheelhouse of knowledge."
Favorite Chef 2024 is powered by Colossal Impact who designs competitions to raise funds for good causes. The James Beard Foundation received $4,778,784.43 from Favorite Chef 2023 donations. The nonprofit organization's mission is to celebrate, support and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity and sustainability.
Moore strives to elevate her craft and inspire others through the power of food. Cast a free vote daily for her at favchef.com by July 11 at 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time to help the Dinwiddie High School graduate become a semi-finalist to keep her in the running to possibly win the whole shebang. Follow Moore's culinary journey on Facebook at Temmeka Moore.
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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Richmond resident vies to win Favorite Chef 2024: Inspired by grandma
