Stacey is a speech therapist, a newlywed, and a "bonus mom" to 10 year old Hannah! She hails from Las Vegas and loves to entertain with food, food and more food! Stacey has made a whopping 23 videos for this competition - amazing!

We caught up with Stacey and asked her a few questions about her love of food!

What is the first dish you ever cooked?

My earliest memories of cooking are of making sugar cookies with my Mom at Christmas. We did them up right- 10 colors of frosting, every kind of sprinkle imaginable, all kinds of things that made Christmas and those cookies so magical to me. But the first real dish I ever remember cooking was in college when I read an article about how roasting a whole chicken meant passage into adulthood. So I took the magazine article and recipe and decided to roast myself a buttery, lemony chicken. It did not go so well, as the instructions were not so clear. An example? The "remove the innards" directions had me calling my mom and there were several exclamations of "I put my hand WHERE?!?!? and pull out WHAT?!?!?" The chicken did turn out pretty yummy though!

Describe your biggest kitchen disaster.

Once in high school, a friend and I were making some chocolate chip cookies for the boys' soccer team (I was the team manager, it was not just shameless flirting... Or was it...?). Somehow, one of the balls of cookie dough slid off the cookie sheet as we were putting them in the oven and we did not notice. Needless to say, a few minutes later the smoke was billowing out of the oven and my friend and I were running around in a panic. We called the fire department, and they came in their fire engine, but by that time the cookie had burnt itself out. But don't worry- the soccer boys got some treats!

What is the best meal you've ever eaten and why?

Well, excluding food that I have cooked (I just can't say that I have personally made the best thing I have ever eaten- it would just feel wrong- although I have come pretty darn close)- the best meal was probably at Commander's Palace in New Orleans. I was a freshman at Tulane University and my grandfather came to visit and took me to a very extravagant dinner. I did not know that food like that existed- I grew up in small town Mississippi. Turtle soup, a medium rare filet mignon, crème brulee- just a few of the fabulous things I had that night- the culinary world opened up for me right then and I wanted to be able to make food that was that good. I am still working hard at it.

Who is your biggest inspiration when it comes to cooking?

My honest answer is Paula Deen. I am not saying that just because I am competing in this contest. The reason I am in the contest is her. I so identify with her and her Southern-ness. I grew up in Mississippi and, even though I live in Nevada now, I am a Southern girl at heart. I have been cooking Paula recipes for years and even had a Paula- themed bridal shower. My favorite gift was the beautiful silver measuring spoons that Paula uses on her show. I am cooking through Paula's "Paula Deen Celebrates! this year and it has been such a joy to have an excuse to have family and friends over for such amazing, delicious food. She is an amazing lady who has overcome so much just by cooking good Southern food. I have said many times that I want to be just like her when I grow up!

And here's Stacey in her own words!

For New Year's I made a dream board with all my goals, and one of them was to go to Savannah and eat at Paula's. And when I saw the contest I knew I had to enter. I am so very thankful for this opportunity. I choose to look at every day as a blessing and marvel at how amazingly blessed I am. I think that there is no point focusing on the negative, so I try to be grateful every day for the wonderful life I have. I adore Paula Deen and can't believe that I get to meet and cook for her!! I really wanted this opportunity and- 23 entries plus 4 unedited dessert videos later- I am proud of the effort that I have put in to make it happen. I work with kiddos with varying levels of disabilities so it makes me so grateful for what I have the ability to do- whether it is the ability to walk on my own to the ability to speak effortlessly. I try to take advantage of life every day.

This contest has been amazing. Seeing what other women are creating and having you amazing ladies reaching out to me to tell me my recipes look delicious or that you are going to try them- I would literally do a happy dance to know that other people were appreciating what I was doing. I have learned so much about myself through this contest. Oh, and a big thank you to my husband who has constantly supported me and been a great camera man. I love him and who we are together.