Naples teen to compete on Food Network’s ‘Kids BBQ Championships’

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Taylor Sanders (Photo by The Food Network)

NAPLES, Fla. Taylor Sanders was young when she started helping out in her great aunt and uncle’s restaurant.

Now she’s competing on national television.

Taylor, 14, will battle for a $10,000 prize on the Food Network’s “Kids BBQ Championships.”

Whether on television or working as an apprentice at Carolina Catering Company, Taylor says being in the kitchen is natural for her.

“Whether I learn it from dad or I learn it from my great aunt and my great uncle, I’m always, whenever I’m in the kitchen wanting to learn, I’m like a sponge,” she said. “I just wanna soak up what everybody says.”

Her transition into a professional kitchen has been seamless, said Lisa Resch, Carolina Catering Company owner.

“Meeting her was kind of like a natural fit,” she said. “She is ambitious, she doesn’t fear anything. Pretty organized, very clean and pretty respectful.”

Resch sees Taylor embarking on a very sharp culinary career.

“Nobody that chops like she chops, nobody that wants to learn about everything from vinaigrette to grilling steaks,” she said. “She loves everything about the kitchen. It’ll be a good career for her. I mean, I know it’s young for her to think about it, but it’ll be an amazing career if she goes forward with it.”

Taylor said she can see herself opening a small restaurant or running a food truck.

Her episode will run Monday at 8 p.m.

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