Winning the World Food Championship is certainly the greatest cooking accomplishment my husband Russell and I have ever won and to have done it cooking with my husband, who is my best friend and love of my life just made it so much greater.
For me it was so much more than even winning. It was 10 of the best cooks and chefs in the world coming together to do what they love and have a passion for – COOKING. For all of us cooking is so much more than eating to survive. We live to eat, to try new things, to cherish the time we spend with those we love over great food.
My point of view has always been that getting the family back to the dinner table is key to not only close relationships, but it opens up so much more. I always cooked for my kids and their friends. They wanted to be at our house. I knew where they were and I believe it kept them out of trouble. At least that is what I tell myself!
Preparing for this competition my neighbors, co-workers, family, and anyone else I could talk into it came over to taste, test, give input and relationships were born and strengthened because of our time spent together. We laughed so much, we ate too much and I am so blessed to have met many new friends throughout this experience.There were 10 World Champs. Each of us a winner. We came together to face off in the largest food competition. Beginning with 450 teams, 14 countries and 48 states to 10 champs and ultimately a World Champ. Through our journey we became far more than competitors, we became family and friends. I love each of my fellow competitors, their spouses, sisters, family members. They were all there. Supporting them and supporting everyone. I have told everyone this is a friendly sport and it truly is. It is difficult to find words or to truly give you the sense of the bonding that took place. We shared ingredients, shared cooking space, shared out passion for the sport and for food and cooking. We are all the winners and my husband and I both consider our biggest responsibility as representing this amazing group of people for all they brought, all they gave, and for the incredible human beings they are. We are so incredibility blessed to be among the greatest that the 2017 World Champs brought and boy did they bring it! Salute to all of you!
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