Chef Monica Torres was announced a top-20 finalist in Carla Hall's Favorite Chef competition last week. Photo courtesy of The Wakehouse

A local chef is one step closer to putting herself and a local restaurant on the map in Carla Hall’s Favorite Chef competition.

The Wakehouse, located in Reedley, opened in 2015. Formerly known as Kelly’s Beach, the restaurant has been focusing on changing its appearance from that of a “dive bar,” to a more family-friendly restaurant atmosphere, and General Manager Justin Simmons said that Executive Chef Monica Torres has played a key role in that transformation.

“We had a pretty good food program going already,” he said. “She kind of just helped bring it all together.”

Now, just a year after starting in the kitchen at The Wakehouse, Torres has made the top-20 finalists in the competition, and currently leads her group for top-15 voting, which ends Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Favorite Chef competition is hosted by Carla Hall, former Top Chef competitor and former host of Emmy winning lifestyle show “The Chew.” Competitors are nominated and voted on by the public, culminating in a $25,000 grand prize and the chance to appear in a 2-page segment in the Taste of Home magazine.

Neither she nor Simmons know who nominated Torres for the competition.

“I remember I took a screenshot and I asked Justin [Simmons] ‘Did you sign up for this?’” she said, to which Simmons denied nominating her. “I don’t know who did it but it was a surprise.”

Torres has made a name for herself in the local community with her innovative dishes; with a background in Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, Torres enjoys preparing brunch meals like her Monte Cristo, spicy chicken and waffles and rosemary steak and eggs.

“We’ve always had a brunch but she’s really elevated the brunch she brings,” he said. “Her flavor profiles are really unique and exciting.”

Torres, who has always dreamed of owning a small brunch cafe, said that if she wins, she hopes to use the prize money to start her own business, purchasing a food truck to cater breakfast to the Reedley and Central Valley communities.

Supporters can vote once daily and also have the option to donate to the competition, securing additional votes.

“Everybody starts from zero all over again every week,” Simmons said about the voting system. “It requires a lot of local support and voting; you can vote on the Favorite Chef website once daily.”

The grand prize winner will be announced on July 20.