COMPETITOR

Penelope Malcolm

COMPETITION: World Recipe Championship

QUALIFYING EVENT: Just A Pinch category winner

I began cooking when I was eight years old for family and friends, but I just began competitive cooking in 2007. Since then I have been in six competitions including Rachael Ray's, "Hey, Can You Cook?", the Gilroy Garlic Festival and the Beringer Great Steak Challenge. I am also an avid recipe contest competitor which has awarded me a few first place wins. My first love, however, is still cooking for family and friends. My husband and I began a food ministry in 2011 that provides hot meals to the elderly and the needy in our community each week. We receive many donations and contributions to the ministry, and it is my job to come up with creative menus using the items that I receive! I also love to entertain. I taught myself gourmet cooking at a very young age, and I enjoy having dinner parties for my friends to try out new dishes. Of course, being from the South, I also know how to cook down-home, comfort food! I am so looking forward to meeting and competing with all the great cooks at the World Food Championships!