British Virgin Islands native, Chef Chanel Henley, is preparing to take the culinary world by storm and needs your help to make it happen. Henley has been selected to compete in the Carla Hall Favorite Chef Competition, going head-to-head with talented chefs from around the globe.
Hosted by celebrity chef and TV personality Carla Hall, the contest offers participants a chance to be featured on the cover of the renowned Taste of Home magazine, get to cook alongside the hosting chef, and take home a whopping $25,000.
Henley’s love for food was instilled from a young age by her biggest culinary influences – her grandmother, a prolific baker, and her father, who owned a popular local restaurant. This deep-rooted passion has only grown stronger over time.
“What I cook is inspired by who I’m entertaining at the time,” Henley shared. “My biggest quest is to make someone’s favorite meal, with a Chanel twist and then have them choose my dish and betray their original.”
She has a particular soft spot for the local dish of Fungi & Fish in mayonnaise sauce. “It’s absolutely delightful!” she exclaimed.
If this homegrown talent takes home the $25,000 grand prize, she plans to reinvest it into uplifting the Territory’s food landscape. “I would use the money to develop the areas that are struggling and once enjoyed large harvests,” Henley explained. “With enhancement of the rural agricultural products, I would assist families in making healthier meals for the elderly and for the benefit of the homeless.”
Henley also aims to partner with the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) to bring healthy cooking classes to local youth.
As Chanel Henley represents the Territory on the international stage, members of the public can get involved by voting for her on the competition’s website using the link below.
https://favchef.com/2024/chanel-henley
Fellow BVIslander Tara Hodge is also competing in this competition. See her story here: