Lucy Chelton, the 9-year-old United Methodist Church cook from Sellersville, Pennsylvania, truly has a heart of gold. After winning the Food Network's "Chopped Junior," which is a children's television cooking show, Chelton donated part of her award money to a good cause.
Chelton donated part of her $10,000 cash prize to Fellowship in Serving Humanity (FISH), a Pennridge area programme that provides food, clothing, school supplies, and other basic necessities to low-income families with children, according to the Gospel Herald.
Chelton's parents, who are members of the ministry staff of Christ United Methodist Church in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, could not be any prouder of their daughter. Her father Eric is the assistant pastor, while her mother Miki is the church's music director. She has an older sister named Belle, 11.
"I think at her age it was really cool she decided to do that," her father said. "You are going to be really proud of the way she acted on the show. I'm glad people got to see her in action."
The young cook won the hearts (not to mention the tastebuds) of the judges after preparing an appetiser called rattlesnake nuggets with sweet lime Hollandaise sauce. Her sauce, in particular, "was a success," one judge commented.
As to how Chelton got her kitchen savvy, the young girl said it just came naturally. "I started cooking when I could get on a stool next to my dad," Chelton shared.
Even at such a young age, Chelton knows how to wield a knife properly.
Her signature dishes are Italian entrees with pasta, stuffed mushrooms and chicken.
During the interview portion of the show, she even told the Chopped Junior judges that she dreams of opening her own restaurant one day. "But I don't want it to be too popular," she quickly added, explaining that she wants it to be "more like a house than a restaurant" so guests will feel at home.
