Andrea Danielson could be a genius.
At 10 p.m. today, more than 90 million households in the U.S., the United Kingdom and Asia will get the chance to find out.
Danielson will appear on the Food Network's series "Sweet Genius" to compete with three other pastry chefs for $10,000 and the distinction of being named a sweet genius.
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Warren Area High School graduate Andrea Danielson will appear on Food Network’s reality competition “Sweet Genius” tonight at 10 p.m.
According to Danielson, a Warren, Pa. native, her journey began in November. She was looking at the website of her culinary alma mater, the Natural Gourmet Institute, when she saw a link to apply for an appearance on the show. She said she had to provide a resume, cover letter and picture with her application.
Within weeks she got a call requesting she participate in an on-camera interview. Soon after, she was asked to interview with a show producer before being called back to appear on "Sweet Genius".
"I can't really say if I won, though," said Danielson of the show, which was filmed in January.
According to her father Bill Danielson, who now lives in Fredonia, his daughter graduated from Warren Area High School in 1999 before going to The New School in New York City to pursue her undergraduate degree. Following her time at The New School, Danielson spent a year studying cooking, focusing on healthy styles.
Danielson said she has worked in kitchens and bakeries throughout the New York area during her 12 years in the city and is now a freelance chef. According to her, she's especially experienced in vegetarian and specialty cooking, such as gluten- or wheat-free food.
"Sweet Genius" is in its third season on Food Network and features renowned pastry chef Ron Ben-Israel pitting four chefs from across the United States against each other in the dessert categories of chocolate, candy and cake. According to the Food Network website, contestants are given surprise ingredients and an "inspiration", usually an object or image, and then compete to produce the best dish in a given round before a time limit expires.
After each round, another chef is eliminated, until the last competitor standing goes home with the title of Sweet Genius, and $10,000.
"It's very unique competing for $10,000," Danielson said of the experience. "It's different being in a studio with cameras pointing at you from every direction. I'm proud I was on the show."
