Local Chef Wins ‘Chopped’ with Greek Cuisine

Kettering native Christina Xenos has made her hometown proud by winning a recent episode of the Food Network's popular cooking competition, "Chopped."

Xenos, a second-generation Greek American, showcased her culinary skills by incorporating traditional Greek flavours into innovative dishes. She impressed the judges with her creativity and technique and ultimately emerged victorious.

The win is significant for Xenos, who plans to use the prize money to open a Greek cooking school in Crete, her family's homeland. She aims to honour her heritage and share the island's culinary traditions.

"I'm scheduled to fly to Greece to scout properties to open a Greek cooking school there. It's been my dream to do that in Crete, where my family's from," Xenos shared.

The episode featured a Greek-themed challenge, with mystery ingredients like evil eye cookies, sea bream, and spanakopita. Xenos's dishes, including pan-seared sea bream with Greek gazpacho and a stuffed leg of lamb, impressed the judges and secured her spot in the final round.

Xenos created a no-bake baklava cheesecake for the dessert round, utilizing the provided ingredients to win the competition.

Xenos's journey to "Chopped" began with auditions and rigorous preparation. She practised with mystery ingredient baskets to simulate the high-pressure environment of the show.

"I just think people should know that they are more capable than even they know," Xenos said. "Dreaming big and working hard to achieve your goals pays off."