12-Year-Old California Chef Advances to Final Round of National Cook-Off

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN Newsource) — Twelve-year-old Abijah Levy Minor, a sixth grader at California Virtual Academies, is making waves in the culinary world. His passion for cooking, nurtured since early childhood, has earned him a coveted spot in the final round of the 2025 K12 National Cook-Off in Arlington, Virginia.

“I enjoy making people happy with my meals, and I also like to have fun in the process of cooking,” said Abijah, whose mother, Orite Levy, recalls encouraging his curiosity in the kitchen from a young age. “I used to put him in the chair when he was too small to stand, and then as he got bigger and could stand, I put a stool next to me and had him get his hands in whatever I was making,” she shared.

Abijah’s creative dish, Raw Alaska, helped him advance from more than 400 student applicants. In the final round, he and four other young chefs will face two rounds of challenges. The first round will test their skills with a mystery ingredient, giving them one hour to craft an entrée. “I’m excited, I’m nervous, I’m scared,” said Abijah. “I’m proud of myself.”

For the second round, Abijah will have just 30 minutes to create a dessert, and he’s already planning to make a trifle. He credits his parents as his biggest supporters, noting their willingness to buy expensive ingredients like scallops, beef tenderloin, and duck breasts to help him practice.

Abijah and his father are flying to Arlington next week to compete for the $1,000 grand prize. Regardless of the outcome, the young chef’s determination and spirit have already made him a winner.

Credit: CNN Newsource

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