Did you hear the news? I was chosen to be KFBKs Hometown Hero for the month of May – WOW! If you know someone who is making a difference in their community, send KFBK a note and nominate them. I’m honored to have been picked.
Did you hear the news? I was chosen to be KFBKs Hometown Hero for the month of May – WOW! If you know someone who is making a difference in their community, send KFBK a note and nominate them. I’m honored to have been picked.
I’ll be cooking on Saturday at 1 PM and Sunday at 12 noon and yes, I will be doing a Chopped Challenge! The Auburn Spring Home Show is located at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, CA.
Do you want tickets? Leave a comment after you watch this video and tell me which of the farmers market vendors products you would most like to see in the challenge basket. I’ll pick some winners this weekend and we will mail the tickets to the winners. I hope to see you there!
For more information about the Home and Recreation Show, visit their website. http://www.auburnhomeshows.com
Meet Mason Partak! He’s a 12 year-old culinary mastermind from Auburn, California and a winner on Food Network’s Chopped Junior! You might have seen Mason on TV before doing cooking demos on Good Day Sacramento or in person at the California State Fair.
I have known about Mason and his cookery for a very long time, as I am friends with his mom, Kathy and have watched Mason grow up and mature into the bright, talented pre-teen he is now.
Last month, Mason’s parents invited their friends (including me, YAY) to Pistol Pete’s for a viewing party the very first time the Chopped Junior episode that Mason appeared on aired. None of the guests knew what was going to happen, but we all showed up to see it on the several big screens in the bar. For me, I was just thrilled that someone I knew was going to be on a nationally televised program. I didn’t care win or lose, I was going to show up and support Mason. I would want the same kind of thing from my friends if I ever appeared on TV. I have appeared on local TV segments before and did a pretty good job, but remember being a ball of nerves. I can’t imagine having the chance to be on Chopped or how it felt.
I emailed Mason some questions after the viewing party, and he emailed me his answers. So fun! 🙂
Cavegrrl: How did you get on Chopped and what is the audition process like?
Mason Partak: I think I got selected to audition for Chopped Junior because I was the alternate for Rachel VS Guys season one. They cast 8 kids and I was their number 9. Food Network sent a culinary producer to my house and everything, so they knew who I was. I did have to do a Skype audition for CJ and it was my worst audition ever! I had a terrible day at school and I said crazy things, my mom was wondering who the heck I was?! When the call and email came that I had been cast, I was totally surprised.
CG: What was the ingredient (in any of the baskets) that you were the most happy to see?
MP: Totally the Wagyu skirt steak! I had already decided that if I got beef, I was making a taco and that is just what I did. It turned out that my spicy street taco was the best dish of the competition and Max’s in Auburn has it on their menu for the month of January.
CG: Do you have any favorite tools/appliances when cooking?
MP: My chef knife. Kitchen tools and gadgets are fun and I love to ask, “What the heck is this thing for?” on my You Tube channel, but really, all I need is my sharp knife.
CG: What is your signature dish and why?
MP: I have several award winning recipes, but I love to make fried chicken. I have become very good at getting it just right, crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside and I love to get creative with how I season it. It can be seasoned using a store bought seasoning packet or my own concoctions, no matter what, it’s always really good.
Mason, yes! It all sounds incredible and I will be posting your recipe here sometime this week, as well as the recipe I made with Challenge cream cheese. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
PS: Alta Vista Community Charter School needs some help finding a sponsor or donations to buy groceries for the kids at the school to learn to cook. This is the same school that Mason helped raise $25,000 for a total kitchen remodel for the children to have access to proper culinary classes. Well, now they need the food with which to cook. Shallots, butter, olive oil, you name it. They need to raise $1,000 for the end of this school year and hopefully they can get a sponsor for next year. If you can help, email me at misscavegrrl at gmail.com and I will put you in touch with the right people! Remember, even five bucks can help a budding chef!
You can find Mason Partak online here, on Facebook here and follow him on Twitter here and on Instagram here. Thank you Mason for sharing your experiences with cavegrrl.com! Check back in for Mason’s recipe later in the week! 🙂
It’s true, Mason’s spicy street tacos that he created while competing on Chopped Junior are the featured recipe on the menu at Max’s in Auburn, CA.
Mason worked to modify the recipe a bit so they don’t have squash blossoms or green strawberries in them, but they are to die for good! Who wants to have a dinner date and go with us?
Yep, it’s true, Mason won Chopped Junior on Food Network!
You all know Mason, he’s the kid that raised $26,052 to put a culinary sciences lab in at his elementary school and along that journey, he got the school district to update the school kitchen and hire a lunch lady who cooks hot, real food lunches. They also put in a school garden as part of his efforts.
Over the summer I got to go to New York and compete on the new Food Network series Chopped Junior. I couldn’t believe it when my mom told me they selected me to compete, I was so excited! A little bit scared, but more excited.
Well, it’s almost time to see my episode. The show aired on October 27th and my episode is scheduled to air on Tuesday December 15th at 5 PM (PST). There will be lots more to share as the air date gets closer, so stay tuned and be sure to like Mason Made on Facebook. We will be posting lots more on my page, including pictures so come follow along.