Byron Roman, Fountain Hills resident and Sister Cities committee chair for Ataco, El Salvador, is competing in the Taste of Home Favorite Chef Competition and currently holds first place in the top five finalists.

The competition is presented by Food Network celebrity chef Carla Hall who found fame on shows including “Top Chef” and “The Chew.”

The grand prize includes a check for $25,000, an appearance on the cover of Taste of Home culinary magazine and the chance to cook with Chef Hall.

“Do you know what I love about this? It’s a world brimming with possibilities. A community fueled by positive thoughts, creative thinking, and collaboration, all working together to build a better future,” Roman said in a recent Facebook post about the competition. “Thank you all for your support.”

In the competition, Roman has featured his own style of picado, a chutney-style sauce with pickled onions and radish, commonly served with meat.

If he were to win the competition, Roman says he would like to have a studio kitchen where he could teach people how to cook, particularly veterans. Roman says cooking is a highly transferable skill for veterans entering the workforce.

As the competition moves forward, Roman is eager to promote the culinary culture of Central America where he grew up.

“I want to showcase foods of Central America so that people see that it’s not just tacos with rice and beans with enchilada sauce on top,” he said. “It’s good for people to experience that culture.”

To vote for Roman in the Taste of Home Favorite Chef Competition, visit favchef.com/2024/byron-roman.