JOHN’S INCREDIBLE PIZZA COMPANY CROWNS KIDS COOK-OFF CHAMPION, AUG. 16
Credit: John’s Incredible Pizza Company
Yesterday, on Thursday, Aug. 16, Omar of Fountain Valley, Calif. was crowned the John’s Incredible Kids Cook-Off Champion after a fierce competition at John’s Incredible Pizza Company at The Boulevard Mall in Las Vegas. After competing in the semi-finals, Omar, Autumn from Apple Valley and Saniha of Fremont, Calif. created three new dishes for the championship round. The kid chefs had one hour to prepare and cook their dish in John’s kitchen before presenting before the panel of three judges – John Parlet, owner and founder of John’s Incredible Pizza Company, CHOPPED Champion Chef Joe Youkhan, and Maria Silva of FOX5 News in Las Vegas.
All three judges were incredibly impressed with each child’s presentation as well as how they all handled themselves with ease in the kitchen. Autumn made a beef stroganoff inspired by her grandmother, and Saniha prepared an Indian chicken kabob rice plate with a cucumber salad and a chocolate milkshake. In the end, Omar’s traditional Arabic dish maqluba, also known as upside-down, won him the title of John’s Incredible Kids Cook-off Champion. Omar took home a $5,000 cash prize, a party for him and 20 of his friends at any John’s Incredible Pizza Company location and will now begin working alongside CHOPPED Champion Chef Joe Youkhan to create John’s next incredible dish. The other two runners-up walked away with free pizza for a year as well as a party with 10 of their friends at any John’s Incredible Pizza Company location.
John’s Incredible Pizza Company launched the Incredible Kids Cook-off competition to inspire young chefs to get involved in the kitchen to create new flavors and recipes. Over 70 kids, ages 7-12, submitted a video showing off their cooking skills by preparing an original dish and 50 kids were then selected to move on to the semi-finals where they prepared a second dish at select John’s locations throughout California. Three finalists were selected from each semi-final location to compete in the Championship round.
ABOUT JOHN’S INCREDIBLE PIZZA COMPANY
In September of 1997, founder, John Parlet, opened the very first John’s Incredible Pizza Company location in Victorville, California to a crowd of curious guests waiting to experience the food & fun promised inside. Now with 13 locations, the typical John’s footprint has grown to over 50,000 square feet with an All You Can Eat Buffet, over 100 of the latest games, rides and attractions. For more information visit www.johnspizza.com/about.
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ABOUT CHEF JOE YOUKHAN
Chef Joe Youkhan is a seasoned culinary artist and crowned champion of Chopped, the popular high-stakes cooking competition show on the Food Network. With outstanding culinary expertise and precision, Chef Joe brings a unique personal touch to delicious global cuisine. Comfort food meets fine dining in his mouth-watering creations, offering guests a truly extraordinary epicurean experience ignited by his passion and love for food. Learn more at www.joeyoukhan.com.