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Westchester Sixth-Grader Kaitlyn Tomeny Stars On 'Masterchef Junior'

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. -- Kaitlyn Tomeny's love of cooking has landed her on national TV.

Yorktown resident Kaitlyn Tomeny is a contestant on MasterChef Junior.

Yorktown resident Kaitlyn Tomeny is a contestant on MasterChef Junior.

Photo Credit: Greg Gayne/FOX

Tomeny is currently appearing on MasterChef Junior, a cooking show for kids aged 8 to 13. If Tomeny wins, she receives $100,000. Tomeny is one of the 16 finalists on the show. MasterChef Junior airs Friday at 8 p.m. on FOX.

"I love to bake anything," Tomeny said. "I especially love making chocolate chip cookies. I like the dough and I like to lick the bowl."

Tomeny was watching the show with her mom and aunt when she realized she could be on the show. She looked up audition dates and saw there was one in New York.

"The audition process was pretty crazy but it was interesting to see how they chose kids to be on the show," Tomeny said.

When she found out she was going to be a contestant, Tomeny started jumping up and down and crying. She earned herself a trip to Los Angeles, where the show is filmed.

"I never thought I would make it, I was just in it for the experience," Tomeny said. "I've always wanted to go to California, it's on my bucket list."

The show is hosted by chef Gordon Ramsay, who is known for his abrasive and aggressive behavior. Tomeny said she was a little scared at first, but it turned out Ramsay was a nice guy.

"He's one of my favorite chefs," Tomeny said. "He is so inspiring. I enjoyed cooking in his presence, he's a lot funnier in person."

So far on MasterChef, she's made the Kurger- a Korean spice marinated sirloin burger with shaved brussel sprout kimchee, and dollop of siracha mayo served with homemade chips on the side. Her dessert was marshallow dumplings- marshmallow and chocolate wrapped dumplings coated in cinnamon and sugar with a marshmallow whip cream and raspberry coulis and graham cracker crumble.

The next week she made Deconstructed Coquille St. Jacques - pan fried panko & parmesean crusted scallops served with a creamy mushroom fettucine (made from scratch) and a pomegranate, arugula and lemon vinaigrette salad.

Tomeny said if she wins, she would save the money for college and take her family on a world tour of food capitals around the world.

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