NATIONAL MINE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The U.P.’s kitchen queen is competing in a national competition to name America’s favorite chef.
Lori Kulju is competing in “Carla Hall Presents Favorite Chef,” a fundraiser for the James Beard Foundation, which celebrates American cooking culture and advocates from more standards in the restaurant industry.
Voting is now open, with the top 20 finalists chosen on June 22.
Voting for the top 15 runs June 22 through June 29. Voting for the top 10 runs June 29 through July 6. Voting for the top 5 runs July 6 through July 13.
The big winner will be announced August 25. The “People’s Choice” winner will receive $25,000, a two-page spread in Taste of Home magazine, and a cooking experience with Carla Hall.
Kulju said if she were to win the money, she would create an educational cooking program wherein seniors work with children to teach them family recipes.
“Many young one’s grandparents are no longer alive, or they don’t have the luxury of spending quality time with them,” she said. “Many seniors do not have grandchildren or they do not live nearby. This program would give generations an opportunity to fill a void in each other’s lives while passing down cultural, family recipes, like pasties, or cudhighi, or plum pudding.”
You can vote once every 24 hours, or give a donation for more votes. For example, a $25 donation will provide 25 extra votes.
You can vote for Lori Kulju, the Yooper Goddess, here. Voting will ask to verify your identity with your Facebook page or a card.
