Quite the cook

How many times have you clicked the TV remote to a cooking show?  Many nights when there’s nothing much to watch during the week, I will seek out some of the better cooking shows to hopefully learn something new. While reading an article in the Richmond-Times Dispatch back in December, I was anxious to watch the Food Network show called “Chopped Junior” that featured young folks showing off their cooking skills in competition.

After learning that a ten-year-old girl from Moseley, Virginia, was competing on a certain night, I marked it down to watch.  Boy, was I in for a delightful night of culinary fascination.  These kids had cooking on the brain and knew their way around that TV kitchen. This reporter thinks she is a pretty good cook but really an amateur when it comes to these kids.

Claire Hollingsworth started cooking at the age of three.  Yes, that’s what you read, at the age of three!  She began cooking with her father who left his job as an engineer to be a stay-at-home Dad to Claire and her brother. After the children started school, he returned to his job, but the cooking job he executed at home has really paid off.

Their first recipe, I understand, was chocolate cake.  Now, that’s what I would start with, too.  One just can’t beat anything chocolate since I am a chocoholic! I am writing this article on Valentine’s Day, the chocolate lovers dream day!

Ten-year-old Claire traveled to New York last August for the competition but couldn’t let the public know the results until the show aired in January.  Since she began cooking with her Dad, as she got older she continued her love of cooking with classes and summer camps at Edible Education, a program that teaches healthy cooking to kids.

On “Chopped Junior” the three contestants, one boy and two girls, had to prepare three dishes from baskets filled with mystery ingredients.  I, for one, could not believe some of the ingredients in these baskets. As three judges watched, which would have made me extremely nervous, these young folks scrambled around the kitchen pulling out pots, pans, herbs, spices, etc. as their brains were conjuring up some fantastic recipes which they had to have ready in a certain amount of time.

I might also add that presentation was part of the judging.  After they completed their cooking tasks, they were judged on how the food was displayed on the plate.  The judges were not the least bit lenient on their comments and competition was fierce.

This very spunky Claire showed confidence, calmness, and excellent cooking knowledge.  One could tell that she is a whiz at what she does and that cooking is her thing. I think we will be hearing more about Claire Hollingsworth and her culinary talents in the very near future.

As a result of the competition, Claire was the top winner and received $10,000.  Remember, this little chef is from Moseley, Virginia and we all pass through the edge of Moseley as we motor to Richmond.

Congratulations again, Claire, on your accomplishment in the culinary field!