An intimate 70th birthday dinner full of family stories, comfort food classics, and a meatloaf that made the guest of honor’s personal all-time list.

One year ago, Adam and I packed our knives and dreams and flew to Los Angeles, not knowing we’d end up halfway around the world in Melbourne, Australia, cooking for our lives on MasterChef. The Neighborhood Supper Plate — our Southern take on Thanksgiving — started it all. What began as a single dish turned into a life-changing journey, filled with rivalry, redemption, and a family we never saw coming.

After getting sent home on MasterChef over a scallop, I had to make peace with the pan. This dish is my redemption — brown butter seared scallops over silky cauliflower puree with rehydrated mushrooms, fried capers, and lemon zest. Simple, refined, and finally… seared right.