CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/182337
and flourishing catering business. In May, she appeared on the Food Network's program Chopped, a cooking competition where four contestants compete for a $10,000 cash prize. The cooks prepare an appetizer, entrée and dessert while incorporating a basket of designated ingredients. After each course, one chef is 'chopped' from the program by the judges. "I applied because it was for a military edition," McLean said. "I was like, 'I was a cook in the army, and I'm a pretty good chef.' They did some interviews, and the next week they told me that I made the final casting, and I'm going to be on the show!" During the Chopped episode McLean appeared in, the baskets included ingredients like freeze dried beef, survival candy, and fruit chews. These bizarre ingredients had to be presented in an appetizing course that appealed to the judges. After passing the appetizer portion, McLean moved on to the entree. Her basket included Afghani flat bread, goat chops and survival candy. "The survival candy got me," McLean said ruefully. "It tasted like cough drops. It was a bad product to start with." Even though she was 'chopped' from the program after the entrée round, Chef Judy feels as though the experience was beneficial. The day after the program aired, strangers stopped her to ask if she was "the Army chef on Chopped." It helped promote her business while giving her some ideas about future television appearances. McLean wants to start her own show, travel and cook, give cooking lessons or be a guest cook with a great chef. She has many big dreams and aspirations, but she's still happy with the now. "I am living my dream. Cooking is not about being famous and rich. It's about offering a little of myself to others, sharing a piece of my life. When people hear the name Chef Judy, I want them to know that I speak my life through my food." Because after all, it's always about the food. CV Red Velvet Cheesecake with Fresh Berries Tri-Color Pasta with Three Cheese Pan Seared Chicken Breast "Where compassion and care run the business" Cape Fear Crematory, Inc. More cost effective than traditional burial We offer private family viewings Affordable direct cremation Services available 24 hours Family owned and operated for over 30 years 6765 Sandy Creek Road | Stedman, NC 28391 | 910.323.8898 | www.capefearcrematory.com CityViewNC.com | 51