Hamden Resident Wins 'Great Taste Prize' For Documentary

From Quinnipiac University: Jim O’Connor of Hamden, a media production specialist at Quinnipiac University, won “The Great Taste Prize for Culinary Tastemakers” at the Taste Awards in Los Angeles in March.

O’Connor’s documentary, “Molly from Scratch,” follows Molly Baker, a single mother who created her own cooking class and catering company called “Let’s Start from Scratch,” following a dark period in her life. Baker supports her two young daughters through her love of the culinary arts and the mantra, “We all make mistakes, but it’s always better to start from scratch.”

This is the second consecutive year O’Connor was recognized at the Taste Awards. Last year, he received the “Breakout Storyteller of the Year” award.

“I feel proud to represent such an amazing university that has given me so much since my first day on campus in 2007,” said O’Connor, who earned his undergraduate degree in film from Quinnipiac in 2011. “As an educator, I am eager to share what I have learned through my mistakes, while also developing students’ abilities and passion for storytelling.”

The Taste Awards are one of the highest awards for creators, producers, hosts and directors of Lifestyle Entertainment Industry programs, series, shows and cinema. Formerly known as the Tasty Awards, the Taste Awards are the premier broadcast awards that celebrate the year’s best achievements in food, fashion, health, travel, sports and lifestyle programs on television, in film, in online video, and in apps, radio, podcasts and photography.

O’Connor, who has worked at Quinnipiac since 2016, is pursuing a master’s degree in interactive media and communications at the university.

Image Courtesy of Quinnipiac University