SC sixth-grader will compete on new ‘Food Network Star Kids’ show

Eleven-year-old Tyra Jefferson of Irmo loves to cook. And the sixth-grader at CrossRoads Middle School will put that talent on display next week – for a national audience – on “Food Network Star Kids,” a new program featuring junior chefs.

The show debuts at 8 p.m. Monday.

Hosted by actress-turned-food-celebrity Tia Mowry and food writer/photographer and social media star Donal Skehan, “Star Kids” will showcase the talent of 10 junior chefs, ages 8-13, who will participate in a variety of culinary, on-camera and social media challenges over six episodes for the chance to host their own series on FoodNetwork.com and a feature in Food Network Magazine.

Tyra’s mom, Wylondria Jefferson, signed up her daughterafter noticing the call for auditions. A network representative called the next day.

“My mom and my family taught me how to cook,” said Tyra, noting that she watched her mom cook then learned to make the recipes.

After mastering stewed potatoes (“with chunks of butter”), Tyra has moved on to more complex dishes such as smothered cube steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, parmesan-crusted corn, and veggie spaghetti that uses spiralized zucchini and turkey sausage.

She describes her cooking style as Southern flair, adding she is not shy about seasoning.

“I like to take regular Southern dishes and add some bold flavors. Rather than pork chops and broccoli, I want to elevate it to an orange-glazed pork chop with a three-cheese broccoli casserole.”

Tyra, who admits to being highly competitive, said when she’s not in the kitchen, she likes to sing, dance, act, and play tennis and volleyball. She wants to open her own restaurant while she’s young and host her own web series – maybe another on television – and is looking to form a business plan with those goals in mind.

Wylondria said her daughter is ambitious and traveling to Los Angeles and appearing on “Star Kids” “has been a blessed experience.” ”.

Check out Tyra’s “Big World of Flavor” audition video on YouTube where she prepares cabbage with bacon, sausage and jalapeno.