The Great American Recipe Season 2 Contestant Maria

Maria Givens (Seattle, Washington) is a member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe in Idaho and grew up in her ancestral homelands on Lake Coeur d’Alene. She first learned about the importance of food in her community through her father’s work as a lawyer fighting for the ownership of the Coeur d’Alene lake as a means of food production for the entire reservation. When Maria wasn’t accompanying her father to court, she would go fishing and berry picking with her mother in the Idaho mountains. In college, Maria pursued degrees in both political science and American Indian studies.

She has worked in the U.S. Senate, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Native American Agriculture Fund. There she helped pass legislation supporting food sovereignty for the Columbia River tribes, bringing her community closer to their ancestral food sources through federal policy. For Maria, food is vital in uniting her community and as a means of continuing to practice her culture. Maria’s signature recipe is Wood-Fired Salmon with Huckleberry Sauce cooked Coeur d’Alene style over bedsprings and an open fire.

Maria’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