2014 COOK OF THE YEAR: Jamie Andrade

Age: 30

Occupation: Export manager

Faced: Tara Riley in Round 1; Joan Huenecke in Round 2

Favorite ingredient: "Cilantro. I make this amazing chimichurri sauce that we literally put on everything from chicken to burgers to nachos."

Cooking style: "I cook how I feel and I always try something new."

What the judges said about her cook-off entree: "Jamie nailed the spice/sweet balance in her pumpkin purée. Big, bold presentation," said Hyatt chef John Junior. "The fish was delightfully prepared; the purée offered a unique, unexpected heat," said Dan Rich, 2013 Cook of the Year.