Learning that somewhere between 5-6,000 children, ages 9 to 14, apply for the show and only 50 get contacted, just getting that call was the beginning of a dream come true. The trip of a lifetime became a reality, when the Kelly family flew out of RDU headed for NYC with the trip lasting from Monday through Thursday. Diane adds, “It was early April when we went to New York City to tape the show; it aired on July 26.” After traveling on Monday, the 4:30 AM pick-up time on Tuesday continued Summer’s journey. Uber picked them up, and after breakfast, the interview process began with each of the 4 contestants meeting separately with the pre-production team. For the video part Summer tells, “We went right out next to the Subway, and I rode my skateboard with all of the people coming and going.” The independent training continued during a small pause in the schedule on Tuesday. Upon training with the chef in Raleigh, Summer was connected with his brother-in-law who has competed on Chopped and Chopped Champions. When he heard the family was coming to NYC, he invited Summer to his restaurant in Times Square. Diane explains, “He was limited with what he could say, but his experience in watching the clock, choosing ingredients for use, and just talking with someone who had actually been on Chopped helped Summer tremendously.” On Tuesday evening, the contestants returned to the set and were able to tour the pantry where they would be cooking. Summer laughs, “We got to see what we could and couldn’t use, because some things are just for decoration.” As for outfits for taping the show? Summer explains, “I picked out three different outfits; out of the three, they picked their favorite.” Diane shares, “They wanted bright colors to show personality. We colored Summer’s hair red as they wanted a fun hairstyle.” Summer concludes, “My look, with the braid and bandanna, was supposed to resemble Rosie the Riveter who stands for girl power.” Bright and early on Wednesday morning, everyone enjoyed breakfast together, but only one parent was allowed to go to the filming. Diane exclaims, “I sent Kasey because I couldn’t do it. Kasey along with all of the other parents GIRL POWER continued GIRL POWER continued GIRL POWER con't next column GIRL POWER con't p. 37 Girl Power! by Rebekah Sykes “Oh, you could do that!” Kasey Kelly of Southern Pines encouraged his daughter Summer one evening as he watched Chopped Junior on Food Network. “Oh, no, I couldn’t do that,” Summer answered. After pondering the challenge, Summer realized, “You know what? I could do that.” A few days later, she filled out the online application in November of 2015. From fall to spring they waited. One bright spring day in March 2016, the call came, “Yes, you’re going to be on the show!” The recipe begins with a loving father, a brave daughter, and a local family who worked together to achieve this experience of a lifetime. From answering the online application to transforming a signature dish into a YouTube video, to making a personality video, the Kelly family turned team work into “Girl Power.” Twelve year old Summer chose Cajun Chicken Pasta for her signature dish and showed off her chopping skills on the onions and peppers. Summer gives credit, “I just kind of learned how to chop from watching Food Network and local chefs.” In loving all things local, Summer highlighted her personality video in featuring the Southern Pines train station and other favorite spots around town before returning home where she thrives as a homeschooler and cooks in the kitchen where it all began. Needing a “catch phrase,” Summer chose something she was passionate about. She smiles, “Mom and Dad helped me pick it out. My passion is ‘Girl Power,’ so my catch phrase goes, ‘My kitchen is fueled by Girl Power!’” Coming from a family with four children, Summer and her younger sister Ana, who is nine, have two older brothers. Summer fills me in, “My oldest brother Jordan is a car salesman, and Hunter is a chef.” Summer’s mom Diane adds, “Hunter started out as a dishwasher at Pine Needles and now works under Chef Cain at Ashten’s. Hunter has become one of Summer’s greatest inspirations.” With her dad Kasey working in the food service industry with US Foods, some chef connections in Raleigh offered training in preparation for the show. Locally, Chef Tony Paz at the Soup Company in Carthage graciously allowed Summer to use his kitchen. Summer remembers, “Tony challenged me to make a Caesar salad in 15 minutes, and then he, his wife, and my mom tasted it and offered their thoughts.” Diane adds, “Tony has been in the food business for a long time, so he had some valuable insight.” Summer’s interest in cooking began a few years ago when she began to cook with her mom. Diane continues, “She’ll get in the kitchen and experiment with different things. She likes to go through cookbooks and pull out recipes.” When Summer started cooking by herself at age eleven, the Pioneer Woman’s recipes became some of her favorites. GIRL POWER con't next column were put in a separate room with a monitor so they could see the taping.” As Summer and the other contestants continued into the kitchen, Summer was hoping that her favorite judge would be there, “But Tony Hawk wasn’t there which was kind of good because I didn’t want to be chopped in front of my favorite person.” Summer explains the concept of Chopped Junior for those who may not know, “Four contestants are given four mystery ingredients to incorporate into a presentation for three judges who choose who gets chopped and who stays. Each presentation must include all four ingredients given; the creation has to be plated and completed within the 30 minute time limit. There are a total of three different rounds, starting with the appetizer. One person gets chopped after the appetizer. Then the remaining three cook an entrée; when 30 minutes is up, somebody gets chopped again leaving the remaining two contestants who enter the dessert round. One gets chopped at the end resulting in a winner of a $10,000 grand prize and a Chopped Junior apron.” So let’s get started with the contestants in the kitchen; Summer begins, “The ingredients remain a complete secret until we open those baskets. As the clock starts ticking, the contestants scramble. The first step is to find an inspirational way to transform the ingredients given into a new concept.” When Summer saw the four ingredients given Sloppy Joes, tomatillos, dandelion greens, and tortilla corn chips, she knew exactly what to do. Summer tells, “In my Aunt Kelly’s practice basket back home there was lettuce, candy, chips—they were the same kind of chips I had practiced with. So when I opened the basket on the show, I was like, “‘Okay, I have already cooked with chips; I can do this.’ I threw the meat away and grilled the bread as a side for the salad of dandelion greens. I incorporated the tomatillos into the vinaigrette mixing the juice with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and some lime.” Along with the four core ingredients, the pantry in the kitchen offers additional ingredients for use. As for the chips? Summer continues, “I just put them in the food processor and sprinkled them on top for some “crunch” along side the romaine lettuce.” With the appetizer prepared, the kids present their dishes and nervously await the judges’ decision. Not seen in the TV episode is when Summer nicks her finger with one minute left to go while cutting strawberries. Summer shares, “The time involved in bandaging my finger took away from the time needed to put the bread on the plate. I had grilled my bread, so it was ready.” The strength to retain her composure after being chopped, came in remembering back to her days of training. Summer recalls, “When I had practiced with Tony at the Soup Company, he said, ‘Don’t cry or I’m going to cry.’ Truly I was frustrated. I was sad. I was like, ‘Okay, I am frustrated, but I’m not going to cry.’ After one gets chopped, you walk out, and somebody is there to comfort you. After another interview, you eagerly await to hear how the other kids do. It’s a very long and exciting day of taping. All the kids were really great; they shared phone numbers and now follow each other on Instagram.” No matter the regrets, Summer yearns, “Let me just do it one more time! If I could do it again, I would bring my favorite knives and definitely get more practice with the clock and mystery ingredients. When my Aunt gave me those mystery ingredients, she gave me a huge boost of confidence!” In looking back, Summer smiles, “I loved all of it. My least favorite was getting chopped, of course, but I loved everything. The whole experience, was just great!” In growing from the experience, Summer confirms, “I learned that I can pretty much do anything, and I shouldn’t second guess myself! The whole time leading up to it, my dad was boosting my confidence, and going on the show boosted my confidence a whole lot.” Diane Summer Kelly featured in Chopped Junior. p.36 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 124
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