Gibsons' Elisa Hendricks hopes to take over Food Network chef Anna Olsen's job as host of an on-line cooking community, but first she must impress the chef in Toronto.
Hendricks is one of 16 finalists who will be competing in the Real Women of Philadelphia cook-off July 4. The finalists will show off their skills in Toronto's Kraft Canada kitchen using Philadelphia cream cheese to create their own recipes and then serve them to Olson and a panel of judges.
Hendricks will be making polenta lasagna, a dish she created that is rooted in her northern Italian culture.
She will be judged on the food she makes, as well as her stage presence and use of the sponsor's product.
The winner receives $20,000 and will take over Olsen's role as host of the Real Women of Philadelphia on-line community.
Hendricks hopes she has what it takes to bring home the win. She said she has been practising often to be sure she can make the dish and plate it within the hour allotted.
But she says even if she isn't chosen as the winner, the experience will be reward enough.
"It's just such a different, fun, quirky thing to have happen. I'm excited to go and meet the other contestants and enjoy the experience," she said.
Hendricks has come to know her fellow contestants well over the past eight weeks of competition on-line, which led up to the cook-off.
"Probably one of the most exciting things for me has been the chance to meet a diverse group of women, and we all have food in common, the love of food and of nurturing people with our food," Hendricks said.
To find out more about the contest or to get Hendricks' recipe, go to www.realwomenofphiladelphia.ca.
