Kayla Mitchell returns to ‘MasterChef’

Way back in 2015, as an 11-year-old girl, Kayla Mitchell, a Center Moriches native now living in Manorville, first appeared on Food Network’s “MasterChef Junior.”

“I had such amazing opportunities as a result of the show,” she said.

After a few more Food Network appearances under her belt, and another featuring her younger sister Lauryn Mitchell on “Chopped Junior,” Kayla recently returned to the show, this time as a full-grown adult—not junior, but “MasterChef Dynamic Duos,” with Gordon Ramsay.

During the show, which was featured on Fox last month, she competed against contestants from all over the world. She was the only person from Long Island.

“The season began last month, and my audition battle aired,” she said, noting she won an apron, earning her a spot on the official cast for the second season.

Prior to earning her apron, she said that they had 30 minutes to cook a dish they felt represented themselves. She and her partner decided to cook a pan-seared sea bass over a bed of lemon garlic spinach, sautéed cherry tomatoes, a white wine beurre blanc, and toasted breadcrumbs.

“We decided to make the dish to pay an homage to Long Island because my family are big seafood fans!” she said. “The judges declared us as winners of the battle and we earned our aprons, which was such a special and surreal moment.”

Her big moment, she said, didn’t come without nerves.

“I was definitely nervous! People kept saying or assuming it was an advantage having been on ‘MasterChef Junior,’ but any prior knowledge or stress handling I had before was out the window!” she admitted. “I think now that I’m older and I understand the magnitude of the opportunity, it actually made me feel more nervous than being a naive kid.”

The show first aired in late May and will run through the summer. However, she cannot release any more details on how far she makes it.

Her personality, though, she said, is confident and authentic.

“I cringe at myself on TV, but I know that I am always true to myself!” she said, noting she has been in sports her whole life and her parents always encouraged her to try everything she is interested in. “So, I know I can do it! I also always know the initial nerves will settle if I take a deep breath!”

As for being on the “MasterChef” as opposed to “MasterChef Junior,” she said it feels “more real.” As a kid, she felt like it was a fun dream.

“Just knowing I’m cooking in front of Gordon Ramsay and making so many friends and getting to use expensive ingredients I wouldn’t buy at home was the coolest thing ever,” she said of her experience. “Now that I have a concept of buying groceries and money, I tried to take advantage of the pantry and equipment!”

Between “MCJ” and now, Mitchell also competed on an episode of a series called “Stove Tots” when she was 14 and took second place. Also, she and her sister guest starred on an episode of “Wonderama,” and she has been featured on News 12 a few times.

As a student, after graduating from Center Moriches High School in 2021, she went on to Millersville University, in Lancaster, Pa., where she graduated with a degree in communications, a concentration in PR, and a minor in marketing.

As for her future, she said, she is focusing on getting a full-time job on Long Island in PR and marketing while continuing to pursue cooking. She also currently sells baked goods and hosts private dinner parties.

“It’s something I’m super passionate about as well as posting on social media,” she said. “I’m excited for the future and all it has in store for me. I’m open to trying everything and putting myself out there!”