The 12-year-old "Kitchen Twins" will put their culinary skills to the test on national television
LAWRENCE -- Twelve-year-old twins Emily and Lyla Allen can often be found in the kitchen cooking up a storm, blogging about recipes or continuing to grow their business.
But later this month, the "Kitchen Twins" will put their culinary skills to the test on national television when they compete against each other and two other young chefs on "Chopped Junior." The show is a spinoff of "Chopped," where each week, four new contestants with a mystery basket of ingredients compete for a $10,000 prize.
"It was a really great experience," Emily said. "We really got to show what we know and love to do."
Their episode, "Birthday Cake Crush," airs Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. on The Food Network. In the first round, cookies and vegetables are mandatory ingredients, while the entree basket throws them a curveball with a birthday cake. For dessert, the final two chefs have to combine salty with sweet.
The judges were former professional boxer Laila Ali and chefs Aaron Sanchez and Art Smith.
As part of their audition, the twins whipped up one of their favorite dishes -- Thai forbidden rice with maple tofu, avocado and a ginger-carrot sauce.
The girls first learned they would be on the show in July and filmed the episode in August, though they've had to keep mum on the outcome.
In the meantime, Emily and Lyla have found success with their shake-and-bake kale chips.
Lawrence twins, 11, launch kale chip product
Their business venture started last year after the then-fifth-graders took first place in Lawrence High School's "Shark Tank" competition. They won $150 in prizes and a half-day "professional experience" at Lawrence-based Edison Ventures.
When the twins first launched, the "Make Your Own Kale Chips" kits were only available at a handful of local stores. A year later, they hired a co-packer to ramp up production and the chips can now be found at more than 300 stores across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, including ShopRite, Acme and Whole Foods Market.
"It's gone great," Lyla said, adding that they've had the support of family and friends.
And they've got more ideas in the works.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
