News Southern Living 2021 Cooks of the Year By Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola has been on staff at Southern Living since 2015. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 20, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Each year, we set out to celebrate cooks who are using food as a way to make the South a better, more delicious place. And every time, we are overwhelmed by the number of people who are accomplishing that and then some. Our 2021 Cooks of the Year come from different places and backgrounds, but all share an exceptional amount of passion for what they do. The group includes a plant-based pitmaster in Georgia who is redefining barbecue, a bighearted bakery owner in Maryland who feeds her community in more ways than one, and a Kentucky teacher who built a high school culinary program from scratch. Over the past year, as the world changed and businesses shuttered and transformed, these five people faced the uncertainty with optimism, bravery, and grace—and the South is all the better for it. Meet our 2021 Cooks of the Year 01 of 05 Amanda Mack Gabriela Herman Crust by MackBaltimore, MD Through her bakery and community activism, Amanda feeds her Baltimore community in more ways than one. Click here to read more about Amanda's endeavors. 02 of 05 Erika Kwee Julie Soefer The Pancake PrincessHouston, TX Cooks all over the country rely on Erika to find and test the "best" recipes on the Internet. Read more of her story here. 03 of 05 Nikkia Rhodes Emily Dorio Louisville, KY Nikkia is teaching and mentoring a new generation of culinary students in her hometown. Check out more about Nikkia here. 04 of 05 Tara Jensen Robbie Caponetto Sour Flour StudiosAsheville, NC Artisanal baking and teaching are Tara's great loves, especially when it comes to sourdough. Click here to read more about Tara. 05 of 05 Terry Sargent Robbie Caponetto Grass VBQ JointStone Mountain, GA Terry is a vegan chef making waves in the BBQ world. Read more of Terry's story here. To see our 2020 Cooks of the year, click here. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit