SOUTH RIVER – Looking to use his skills once again to win a $50,000 cash prize, Tyler Cappelluti will compete on Universal Kids’ “Top Chef Junior” Season Two.
“I started cooking around 3 or 4 years old alongside my mom and grandmas. I was always curious and wanted to help in any way I could. As I grew older, I was able to cook on my own and I love just being creative and coming up with my own recipes and creating an amazing dish,” said Tyler, an eighth-grader from South River.
Tyler said he first learned about “Top Chef Junior” Season Two from his mother, who saw a notice of auditions posted on social media.
“I’ve auditioned for other kids’ cooking shows over the past three years. First I was selected as an extra for Food Network’s ‘Chopped Jr.’ Season Six in 2016. Then I was selected as one of the four contestants on Food Network’s ‘Kids BBQ Championship’ Season Two, Episode Four in May 2017. That fueled my fire and gave me the confidence to continue to pursue what I love to do,” Tyler said. ” ‘Top Chef Junior’ was one I’ve really been wanting to be a part of since the first season, so there was no doubt in my mind to audition.”
Tyler said he was notified in early February that out of thousands of applicants from across the nation, he made it as one of 23 chefs to head to Hollywood to Top Chef boot camp.
“A couple of weeks later, I was sitting in my hotel room anxiously awaiting that call when I was told I made it through boot camp as one of the 12 contestants on ‘Top Chef Junior’ Season Two – two amazing days I will never forget. A dream of mine came true,” he said.
Tyler said he loves to experiment and cook just about anything, and loves a good challenge.
“If I had to choose, grilling any types of meats, especially filet mignon topped with my very own chimichurri sauce, is my favorite and what got me a spot as one of the four contestants on the last show I was on before ‘Top Chef Junior,’ ” Tyler said.
Tyler said cooking relaxes him and said he feels very calm and happy when he gets into his zone.
“I love to help people and make people happy. When I cook for my family and friends I see how much they enjoy it and that makes me happy. Also, the fact that I’m Italian and I love food, it’s my passion,” the 13-year-old said. “So being able to cook whatever I want and be as creative as I want to make a dish my very own, that makes me happy.”
Having been chosen to compete on “Top Chef Junior,” Tyler said he is most excited about traveling and going through the whole experience.
“I’m excited to meet kids I have so much in common with and make lasting memories and friendships with them. I’m excited to meet and spend time filming every day with [hosts] Vanessa Lachey and Curtis Stone and being able to cook for them and any guest judges,” he said. “I’m also excited about meeting and learning different techniques and styles from the culinary team.”
Tyler said getting an opportunity to compete on the show, “feels absolutely magnificent. I’m still amazed and blessed that I’ve been given this opportunity to do what I love to do. I see it as another step closer to living my dream of one day becoming a chef on a cruise ship and then owning my own restaurant.”
“Top Chef Junior” Season Two will premiere at 6 p.m. Sept. 8 on Universal Kids, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s network. For more information, visit www.universalkids.com/shows/top-chef-junior.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
