In just a few short weeks, Top Chef Chicago will hit the airwaves and we're counting down the days to the March 12 season premiere. In addition to placing the city's restaurant scene at the forefront of the series and the backdrop for the competition, there are three chefs with local ties competing for the title of "Top Chef."

Valerie Bolon is a personal chef and instructor at Kendall College. She's also worked in the kitchens of Hot Chocolate's Mindy Segal and Shawn McClain of Spring. Here she explains why she wants to be the next Top Chef.