Here are your 2016 Top Home Chef finalists
Well, that was a tough decision. After nearly two hours of deliberation, here are this year's Top Home Chef contestants.
In our search for the Valley's best cook, we chose menus to represent a spectrum of culinary points of view. We arrived at dinners that are seasonal, approachable and inventive.
As always, we thank all who took the time to apply. We are humbled by your thoughtfulness, skill and enthusiasm.
Here are the 2016 Top Home Chef finalists, listed in no particular order.
Follow dining.azcentral.com next month as the the three finalists host meals for the Food & Dining team. The first dinner review with recipes will be available on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
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Lynn Hooker
- Starter: Bruschetta with homemade pistachio pesto, roasted red pepper jam and fresh mozzarella.
- Main course: Smoked ribs with smoked Hatch green chile corn salad (pictured).
- Dessert: Grilled strawberries over grilled angel food cake with fresh-whipped topping and basil.
A Mesa resident, Hooker, 52, is an account consultant for Prudential Insurance.
“I’m blown away,” she said. “I thought maybe mine was too simple, but that’s what’s great about it.”
Laura Licona
- Starter: Charred chile shrimp with watermelon and pumpkin seeds.
- Main course: Squid-ink pasta with chipotle escargot and artichoke hearts.
- Dessert: Corn flan (pictured).
A Scottsdale resident, Licona, 43, is an analyst for Salt River Project.
“Everybody always tells me to go into a competition,” she said.
Jordan Urnovitz
- Starter: Ancho-marinated shrimp in creamy cucumber soup.
- Main course: Lamb dumplings with spiced yogurt over pumpkin kibbeh hash (pictured).
- Dessert: Sweet corn and black pepper ice cream with orange blossom olive oil cake.
A Gilbert resident, Urnovitz, 33, is a development manager for Dish Network.
“I’m crazy, super excited,” he said.
This year, The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com competition is presented by AJ's Fine Foods. The Valley-based grocer will provide a $300 gift card to each finalist to cover expenses. The winner will receive a $200 gift card from AJ's, will get to show off his or her cooking chops during the azcentral.com Food & Wine Experience, set for Nov. 4-6 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, and go to a review dinner with Republic's dining critic Dominic Armato.
