Nadia has bigger plans for her college meals than just ramen and cheap takeout.

Nadia — a 13-year-old from the Vancouver, Wash., area who asked that her last name not be used — whisked her way to the top of the 2024 K-12 National Cook-Off competition, besting more than 300 students from across the United States. Her prize? A cool $1,000.

“I love cooking and baking for fun and to stay healthy,” says Nadia, a ninth grader who initially impressed the judges with her signature dish called salmon serenade and pea pizzaz. “I want to always be able to provide healthy meals for myself when I graduate and go to college.”

The competition, judged by Chopped winner Chef David Ho, wrapped up with a final cook-off in Arlington, Va., where Nadia wowed the judges with her creative, nutritious food, including her winning dish of panko-breaded chicken breast with sour cream, pan-roasted garlic mushrooms, lemon olive oil farro, and green beans. She beat five other finalists.

Nadia’s college plans include studying marine biology.

Plate expectations. Nadia’s signature dish called salmon serenade and pea pizzaz impressed the judges.

Photo courtesy of Surge Public Relations