United Methodist Communications recently featured a talented and tender-hearted 11-year-old celebrity chef from Christ UMC Lansdale in its Interpreter magazine and YouTube video channel and also in a Website and Facebook feature titled Amazing Kids of The United Methodist Church. It all started after she was featured twice in a nationally televised kids cooking show.
The denomination’s communications agency served up these three helpings of 5th-grader Lucy Chelton in stories that highlighted her love of cooking for her church and community and her appearance in two episodes of the Food Network’s Chopped Jr. culinary competition television show.
By preparing rattlesnake nuggets and other savory delights, Lucy, who lives in Sellersville, Pa. with her sister and parents, won a Chopped Junior episode in August 2016 and shared part of her $10,000 prize with a local food bank. She returned to the show in June 2017 to compete against other winners for the season championship (which she did not win).
Years before she became a celebrity chef, Lucy Chelton found her passi
on as a toddler, standing on a step stool to cook with her dad. “She kept telling us she wanted to go on a cooking show; and we just did it to appease her,” recalled the Rev. Eric Chelton, assistant pastor at Christ UMC. “She was only 9 years old.”
Miki Chelton, who directs music and the Girl Scout troop at Christ Church, describes her daughter as a “compassionate, funny and loving kid.” She said she and other church members enjoyed the UMCom video-recording experience, including interviews, at the church.
As a member of the church’s Caring Committee, Lucy helps cook for people who are sick and can’t get around in their kitchens. She also teaches basic cooking skills to her young peers.
“By being on ‘Chopped’ I learned that I can do more things than I thought I could,” Lucy says. She likes to cook for the local food bank with fellow church members. “I like the smiles on people’s faces when I give them good food,” she says, adding, “I’m showing God’s love.”
Enjoy the articles and the 3-minute video about Lucy on YouTube or on the UMC.org website.