Manhattan Beach Girl Wins $10,000 on Food Network's 'Chopped Junior'

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA -- A Manhattan Beach girl won $10,000 on Food Network's 'Chopped Junior' when she was crowned the winner in an episode that aired Tuesday.

On the show, 13-year-old Sophie Viohl made persimmon salad and shrimp empanada with cayenne pepper chimichurri for the appetizer; turkey Milanese with arugula salad, roasted tomatoes and cauliflower for the main dish. For dessert, she made hazelnut and white chocolate ice cream sandwich with zucchini brownie crumble and apple-berry compote.

On the show, which is a kid's version of the popular "Chopped," pint-sized chefs are challenged to make a complete meal with a mystery ingredient in 30 minutes.

Viohl said her passion for the culinary arts was what got her a spot on the show.

"I thought I was a really good cook and I love 'Chopped Junior.' I watch it all the time," she said. "And I thought, 'Hey, why not try for it.'"

Viohl said she got her love of cooking from her Chilean grandmother, Elena. Every day, her grandmother would pick her and her siblings up after school and Viohl would help her grandmother cook.

Her grandmother would encourage Viohl to try new things and experiment in the kitchen. One of the favorite dishes the two cooked together was pasta with scrambled eggs.

"It was the first dish I made with her," she said.

Viohl's mother, Evelyn Mazzocco, said the prize money will go into a trust for Viohl's college or culinary school. For her part, Viohl said she still doesn't know what she wants to do when she grows up but cooking is definitely going to be a part of it.

Viohl's episode will re-air on March 5 on the Food Network.

Courtesy photo