Stefano Dongowski, a 13-year-old from Wilmington, appeared Tuesday night on an episode of the Food Network show, Chopped Junior.
 
The show features four contestants between the ages of 9 and 15 battling through three rounds of mystery baskets, which they must turn into an appetizer, an entrée and a dessert. Each dish is judged based on presentation, taste and creativity.
 
The Greater Wilmington Business Journal spoke with Stefano last week, when he was still unable to comment about the outcome of the episode entitled "Heads Will Roll," which featured chefs Maneet Chauhan and George Mendes and actor Kevin McHale as judges.
 
Stefano said that he and his mother were watching the show one night when she casually suggested it would be cool if he were on it. So he did some research, decided to apply and following several rounds of Skype and phone interviews, he was informed that he had been selected.
 
Stefano traveled to the Chopped Junior studio in Manhattan for the filming, which he described as "an intense and exciting experience."
 
“When you find out the news that you’ve been selected for the show, that’s just exhilarating enough,” Stefano said. “But when you actually step into the studio, it’s this whole new feeling, like you’re nervous, but you’re super excited and you’re just ready to cook.”
 
While he loves to take his time and experiment in the kitchen at home, Stefano said he also performs well under pressure and loved the competitive aspect of the show.
 
“Overall it was so fun and a very memorable experience,” he said.
 
In addition to Food Network competitor, Stefano can also call himself a budding entrepreneur, having just launched an online business, Spice Squad, which specializes in global spices and spice blends by the ounce. Stefano said the site will be updated regularly with recipe ideas for many of the blends.
 
When asked about his future plans, the ninth-grader at Isaac Bear Early College High School said he has a dream of owning a restaurant with a spice shop attached.
 
“We will have the spice blends available so that way people can try to cook at home the dishes we make in the restaurant,” he said.

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