The Food Network Crowns 12 Year Old Brantford Girl as Champion

Wednesday, 10 June 2020 09:40

Audrey MacKinnion of Brantford on the set of Junior Chef Showdown (Photo Courtesy: The Food Network)

The first ever Junior Chef Showdown Champion was unveiled on Sunday night's episode, taking home $25,000.

BRANTFORD - At just 12 years old Audrey MacKinnion of Brantford is trying to adjust to her new found fame as she was awarded the first ever Junior Chef Showdown Champion on The Food Network.

The soon to be grade 8 student says that watching the final episode Sunday night of the big win is surreal.

"It was amazing, such an incredible feeling when I won, but right from the first day of shooting the series, it was an unbelievable experience."

Her mom Kathleen answered an ad posted by The Food Network that they were holding auditions for junior chefs. After several call backs, young MacKinnion was cast.

Nearly 6000 hopefuls tried to get on the show, which had 14 contestants that made it on the show. The rising food star won $25,000 cash as well as a family vacation to Cancun Mexico (post pandemic of course).

"The money will mostly go to towards my education in either Engineering, Biochemistry or Culinary arts. I do want to do something with my cooking. The money aside, what was really cool about the show was the fact that famous chef's like Anna Olson, Jordan Andino and Lynn Crawford were eating my food."

The new celebrity of the family has been putting her skills to the test during the pandemic as both parents are working, MacKinnon prepares dinner for both parents, and her 15 year old sister,(Claire) who is the resident baker in the family home.

MacKinnon says she learned how to cook by watching and helping her mom (Kathleen), dad (Paul) and nana in the kitchen.

"My dad especially has taught me a lot throughout my cooking journey, learning the basics is really important, then you can cook a lot of different foods. I enjoy cooking all international foods, but I really like making 'Pho'."

Throughout the 8 episode show, the talented young chef had to complete several challenges. One of the challenges gained her immunity.

"I didn't think I had a chance to win, but when I won the pancake challenge, and won immunity that really gave me confidence heading into the finals, so my advice to anyone young who might be nervous to cook is to just start. Do something small, overcome your fears and the rest gets easier."

For her final creation on the show, she made a pan seared Wagyu steak with a grilled vegetable and peach salad.

The future is unknown right now for The Food Network's newest and youngest star, for now she is still trying to adjust to people recognizing her at the grocery store.