Jodi Taffel (55)

Altadena, CA

Professional Competitive Cook

·      Accidentally learned how to cook after befriending a former co-worker, whom she later found out was one of the top teachers at Le Cordon Bleu.

·      Describes her charoset as “off the chain,” and says her brisket is “outrageous.” Her lamb and duck is popular amongst her friends and family.

·      She says her strength is her ability to go strictly off of taste, versus what is traditionally considered “good.”

·      She has won over 60 awards and accolades for her cooking.

·      Her biggest Hanukkah tradition is decorated her Hanukkah bush with all the characters from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.