Hunter Zampa of Stamford Wins Chopped: Teen Talent

 

The Mystery Baskets were carefully chosen before Chopped:  Teen Talent aired.  If you had looked at the ingredients before the teenage contestants viewed them, you’d probably think there wasn’t much that tied them together. But, somehow, they had to find their way through three rounds of this classic culinary competition.  And, you better believe the talented youngsters were going to fight hard with a $40,000 scholarship to The International Culinary Schools at the Arts Institutes at stake.  What, just what, would you do with these ingredients?

Appetizer basket:  broccoli rabe, cherry flavored drink, swordfish, tiger figs

Entrée basket:  filet mignon, heirloom tomatoes, jarred black truffles, toaster pastries

Dessert basket:  cotton candy grapes, cream cheese, salt bagels, strawberry mints

Hunter Zampa competed at the Stamford Chili Cook-off

Yeah, not sure what we’d do with truffles and toaster pastries, but that’s what’s great about this show…you never know what to expect.  But, to be honest, we did expect one thing from this episode:  Hunter Zampa (from Stamford, CT) would win.  We dont’ know, call it our third eye tingling, but we felt that it was his night.

If you remember, Hunter came super close to winning Guy vs. Rachael, so we knew he had the skill to become Chopped Champion.  And, you know what?  We were right!  Hunter Zampa went through each round (we don’t want to spoil what he did so we’ll let you find out yourselves), winning that prestigious $40,000 scholarship.

If you missed the episode with him on it, check it out again on 12/15 at 7 pm, 12/28 at 9 pm, or 12/29 at 12 am.  And, if you’d like to read an exclusive interview with Hunter Zampa, check out the Food Network blog.

Congratulations Hunter!  Way to make us, Stamford, and all of Connecticut proud!