13-year-old Rachel Goldzal, an Orthodox teen from Staten Island, has won a “Chopped” championship, beating two 12-year-olds and a 10-year-old. She was 12 when she filmed the Food Network show in the spring.
Goldzal is the first kosher champion in the show’s history, which includes more than 450 episodes, though there have been other kosher contestants. Her win earned her a check for $10,000.
In the competetion, pre-teen chefs were required to create an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert in three 30-minute rounds, including four random, pre-selected ingredients per course. Producers ensured that all of Goldzal’s ingredients were kosher and gave her new pots, pans and utensils to use. They also ensured that she would not have to mix meat and dairy products.
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