Texas chef uses her knowledge, heritage to win Food Network’s “Chopped”

A screenshot of Food Network's "Chopped" (Food Network/Instagram)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – A Texas chef has won big on Food Network’s “Chopped,” KSAT reported.

Jesse Kuykendall, a Laredo native best known as Chef Kirk, competed along with three other professional chefs in a three-round cooking contest using mysterious ingredients. The episode’s theme was “PB & J.”

Recommended Videos



Kuykendall used her Mexican culinary knowledge and her mother’s past teachings to pave her way to victory, from peanut butter churros to hot dog quesadillas, according to KSAT.

According to San Antonio Current, she owns a few restaurants throughout the San Antonio and Laredo areas, including the newly-opened Mexican-inspired Milpas Restaurant, which serves popular dishes such as carnitas and “tacos arabes.”

Kuykendall received a $10,000 winning prize on the show, and told San Antonio Current she will use the winnings to pay for a well-deserved vacation with her mother.


About the Author

A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ana moved to H-Town from sunny southern California in 2015. In 2020, she joined the KPRC 2 digital team as an intern. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. In her spare time, she's an avid video gamer and loves to travel.

Recommended Videos