Meet the Season 2 Contestants: Abbe

Abbe Odenwalder (Denver, Colorado) is a first-generation American and the author of a cooking blog. Her grandfather left Lithuania in 1938, with his family, which included Abbe’s six-year-old father, one year before the Nazis invaded. Her family settled in Kankakee, Illinois, where her grandfather was a janitor before opening a small grocery/butcher shop.

Abbe taught herself to cook when she attended college in Colorado, quickly realizing that food was a way to bring people together. As an avid recipe and cookbook collector, she was inspired by her heritage and many of her grandmother’s old cookbooks. When her kids left for college, her daughter suggested she start a blog to keep track of all the recipes she’s cooked over the years. It’s there that family stories are shared along with other favorites Abbe has discovered over time. It is her wish that one day her children will read these stories, add to them, and continue the cooking journey that she began. Her signature recipe is Noodle Kugel, made of egg pasta, cream cheese, raisins, and cornflakes.

Abbe’s Recipes

Meet the Contestants

Meet the Host and Judges

Alejandra Ramos

Alejandra is a television host, TODAY Show contributor, and writer. Known for her vibrant, playful culinary point of view, and passion for style both in and out of the kitchen, Alejandra’s ability to inspire in a way that is fun and approachable has made her a favorite with audiences nationwide. READ MORE

Tiffany Derry

Tiffany Derry is a judge on The Great American Recipe. The Texas native is the founder of Tiffany Derry Concepts and co-founder of T2D Concepts, the Texas-based purpose-driven hospitality group behind Roots Chicken Shak, Roots Southern Table and ‘Shef Tiffany spice and apparel line. READ MORE

Leah Cohen

Leah Cohen is a judge on The Great American Recipe. Leah is the chef and owner of acclaimed New York City restaurant Pig & Khao on the Lower East Side. A 2013 StarChefs Rising Stars Award recipient, Leah’s Filipino upbringing and annual expeditions to the region are reflected in her cooking philosophy, which stays true to authentic Southeast Asian flavors while incorporating classical western techniques. READ MORE

Graham Elliot

Graham Elliot is a judge on The Great American Recipe. He is a self-described “navy brat,” has traveled the world and all 50 states, sparking an intense interest in food which led him to attend Johnson & Wales University. READ MORE