Local Chef Ranked Number One in National Culinary Competition

Damian Manfre, who works as an executive sous chef at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, is currently ranked first in the quarter-finals of a nationwide culinary competition in which members of the public vote for their favorite chef, professional or otherwise.

Manfre has worked in the food service industry for nearly two decades, serving at high-end hotels and resorts across the country, and began working for Marriott as a Chef De Cuisine in 2022.

According to Marriott, Manfre represents the local community of hospitality chefs on Marco Island, and winning would be a massive honor, as he seeks to inspire others with his story of success in the culinary industry, beginning as a line cook in his home country of Argentina. They wish for the Marco Island community to vote for Manfre to keep him at the top of the bracket.

The competition is called Favorite Chef, an online, vote-driven tournament, with the winner receiving a $25,000 prize, a feature in Taste of Home magazine, and a chance to cook with celebrity chef Carla Hall on her show, Chewed Up.

The voting period remains open online at the time of writing, where members of the public can vote for Manfre for free, with additional paid votes also being available ー all proceeds being donated to the James Beard Foundation, which aids in raising new talent in the culinary industry.

“Winning this prize would be an incredible step toward bringing my culinary dreams to life. Beyond supporting my journey of saving for future projects, it would create powerful exposure, momentum, and the opportunity to inspire others through my story. I am truly excited for the chance to represent my passion, my vision, and the extraordinary culinary spirit of JW Marriott Marco Island with a wider audience,” said Manfre.

Manfre added that his signature dish as a chef was a red miso-glazed lobster, poached, grilled, and served with warm Humita foam.

“[It’s] a tribute to Argentina’s classic corn stew, with pickled enoki mushrooms, chives & tarragon oil, Oscietra caviar, and nasturtium leaves,” he said.

Voting can be found at favchef.com/2026/damian-manfre