Merry Graham

Merry Graham
Born Merry Carol Graham
(1954-08-24) August 24, 1954
Redding, California, U.S.
Education California State University, Chico, California Polytechnic State University
Spouse(s) Richard Graham (m. 1976)
Children 4
Website Official website

Culinary career

Merry Graham (born August 24, 1954) is an American author[1] and award-winning home chef.[2]

In 2010, Bobby Flay and Aetna named Graham the Healthiest Cook In America, when she won the Aetna Healthy Food Fight National Cooking Contest cook-off,[3] held at ABC Studios in Times Square, New York.

Graham has appeared on several televised competitive cooking shows. In 2015, she competed on the The Food Network's Clash of the Grandmas Thanksgiving Special,[4] making it to the final round. In 2014, she was one of five finalists to compete on the Rachael Ray (TV series) Great American Cookbook Competition.[5] She has also appeared on and competed in the World Food Championships, televised on FYI (U.S. TV channel).[6]

Graham's original recipes have been featured in a variety of publications, including Taste of Home,[7] and Betty Crocker Magazine,.[8] In 2014, she was selected as a finalist in the 47th Annual Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest, winning the Gluten Free Award for her Herbs and Seeds Parmesan Crackers original gluten-free recipe - presented to her by Top Chef and The Chew host, Carla Hall.[9]

Graham was first published as an author in 2006, when she co-authored a Christian Bible reference book, Scriptures At Your Fingertips, published by Simon & Schuster.[10] In 2008, she released a follow up book, Scriptures At Your Fingertips for Teens, which she co-authored with her daughter, actress and poker player Tiffany Michelle.

Personal life

Graham was born in Redding, California to Patricia and Carl Ryser. She attended California State University, Chico and California Polytechnic State University, graduating from Cal Poly with a bachelor's degree in Nutrition.

Television

Food Network's Clash of the Grandmas

In November 2015, Graham was one of five chefs invited to compete on Food Network's inaugural Clash of the Grandmas.[11] The single episode Chopped (TV Series) style competition had the five chef grandmothers competing in three Thanksgiving-themed elimination rounds, for a prize of $10,000. The show was judged by culinary icons Nancy Fuller, Aarti Sequeira and 2015 Food Network Star winner Eddie Jackson (American football, born 1980).

The Rachael Ray Show

Graham was featured as a finalist on Rachael Ray's Great American Cookbook Competition, a segment which aired on The Rachael Ray Show, in May 2014. She was eliminated in third place, when Shark Tank's Lori Greiner was a guest judge for the third challenge, involving salesmanship and the ability to pitch a dish.[12]

World Food Championships

For four consecutive years (2012-2015) Graham has qualified for, and competed in the World Food Championships.[13]

Books

Graham has authored two Bible reference books:

Awards and accolades

References

  1. ↑ "Simon & Schuster Authors". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Developing a taste for the win: Local home cook Merry Graham continues to whip up wins". The Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Merry Graham Wins Aetna Healthy Food Fight National Cooking Contest". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Clash of the Grandmas". Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Rachael Ray's Great American Cookbook Competition Heats Up as Finalists are Announced". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Shows: World Food Championships". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Maple Glazed Green Beans". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Caramel Spice French Breakfast Muffins". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  9. ↑ "47th Pillsbury Bake Off Contest Announces Four Recipes Vying for 1 Million Grand Prize". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Scriptures At Your Fingertips". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  11. ↑ "New Orleans cooking teacher wins "Clash of the Grandmas"=". Retrieved 2016-06-22.
  12. ↑ "The Great American Cookbook Competition - The Third Challenge". Retrieved 2013-09-14.
  13. ↑ "Our Competitors". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Bake Off 47 Awards and Celebrations". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  15. ↑ "$10,000 Grand Prize Winner Merry Graham of Newhall, California". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Just In Time For Summer! Margarita Moon Pie Takes $25,000 Grand Prize In Annual Scharffen Berger Chocolate Recipe Contest". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Merry Graham of California Wins Bob's Red Mills Spar for the Spurtle". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  18. ↑ "2010 Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest Winner". Retrieved October 8, 2015.
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