Danbury Teen Chefs Particpate In Museum's Cooking Competition

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Four young chefs, ages 10 to 15, plan to cook up fun -- along with some friendly competition -- when they prepare dishes using Stamford Museum and Nature Center's maple syrup at the First County Bank Teen Chefs Challenge, on March 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the museum.

Adaiah Stevens has been creating her own recipes since age seven.
Photo Credit: *Submitted*

Challah is one of Aaron Gruen's specialities.
Photo Credit: *Submitted*

Sheariah Stevens prepares multi-course meals for family and friends.
Photo Credit: *Submitted*

Talia Raich likes working on the creative presentation of her dishes.
Photo Credit: *Submitted*

Jeanne Muchnick

03/05/2015 4:30 a.m.

Just be warned: This is one serious competition (and yes, you get to vote). Each of the chefs has experience behind the stove and each one has been prepping for weeks.

Weston resident Aaron Gruen, a sixth-grader at Unquowa School in Fairfield, for example, has been cooking and baking with his family from the time he could stand at the kitchen counter. He loves experimenting with all types of flavors and can often be found baking with his mom and older sisters, and grilling with his dad.

Talia Raich, a fifth-grader at Bi-Cultural Day School in Stamford, has also been cooking with her parents from a young age. She says she likes working on the creative presentation of the food and is used to competition because her family does soup-offs and versions of the Food Network show "Chopped" at home.

Then there's the Danbury-based sister duo of Adaiah and Sheariah Stevens, 13 and 15, respectively. Adaiah started cooking and baking at the age of four, shadowing her mother and grandmother in the kitchen. By the age of seven, she was developing her own recipes. Her creativity in the kitchen is coupled with her gift of music. She has been writing, arranging and performing music since she was five and recently appeared on the popular reality competition show, "MasterChef Jr." on FOX with Chef Gordon Ramsey.

Sister Sheariah is just as talented, both musically and in the kitchen. She was featured as a "Star of Tomorrow" at the legendary Apollo Theater in Manhattan (she plays guitar and sings), and also shines in the kitchen where she enjoys preparing international cuisine and multi-course meals for family and friends.

All four students admit they are looking forward to showing off their skills and learning from their fellow contestants. "I am excited to work on my cooking skills, meet other teen chefs, and do something that I have never done before," said Raich.

This year marks the 15th year that First County Bank has sponsored this family festival highlighting the New England tradition of maple sugaring.

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