COMPETITOR

Two Southern Sisters

HEAD COOK: Tamie Joeckel

COMPETITION: Bacon World Championship

QUALIFYING EVENT: 2014 Bacon World Championship Top 10

3 generations of Texas women taught me to cook! And as a working mother of 3, I learned about nutrition and how to feed a family of 5 on a tight budget. My grandfather was a cattle rancher so grilling is in my blood! And as a South Texas girl, spicy Tex Mex is my fave. My grandgirls call me Mimi -- and Mimi's house is always fun and filled with great food! My sister and I came up with the concept of Two Southern Sisters after I won the Smucker's $20K contest in 2011. The money I win in contests is used to fund my favorite charities No Kid Hungry and Wounded Warrior Project. How great to have fun with this amazing cooking community and still pay it forward! As an exec in the pharmaceutical industry I got to travel globally. The culinary experiences I've had through such extensive travel has had a positive affect on my food and palate! My new blog "Reinventing 60" is all about my new journey with food and living life to its fullest! (60's the new 40, right?) My sister and I have started an events planning and catering business in Houston. My sister focuses on design and decor - anything that requires a power tool. And her husband Danny and I do the catering. We're having a blast! Life is short - and I want to wake up and do something I love - and that's cooking and entertaining - and paying it forward! I will show the world that life doesn't end at 60 -- it's just beginning! My goal is to make my final chapter the most interesting and meaningful one! I want my grandchildren to remember Mimi forever - and learn all my greatest recipes!