Minnesota Chef was Approved for Asylum & Competed on “Chopped”

Have you ever watched Chopped?  It's a show on the Food Network where 4 chefs compete for thousands of dollars. Depending on the version of "Chopped" show that it is, the pot can be anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000.  This one was 10 Grand for the prize.

It's always fun to see what type of dish each of the chefs are going to make with the crazy ingredients that are provided to them in their baskets.  They have to use all of the ingredients in some way in each dish that they prepare.  And they only get like a half an hour to prepare the dish.

The episode that ran last week on the 4th included a chef from St. Paul, Minnesota.  She is an immigrant from Venezuela.  And she owns a restaurant in St. Paul as well. 9 years ago she applied for asylum in Minnesota, and it was finally approved.  As she applied for asylum, she did not apply to be on the show Chopped.  She was actually contacted by them and she was invited to compete.

From KARE 11:

(Soliel) Ramierz’s food caught the attention of the Food Network. She was one of four chefs to compete on Chopped. The episode aired March 4.

“Actually, I didn’t apply for anything. They contacted me,” Ramierz said.

She didn’t believe it at first and questioned if it was a scam. It wasn’t.

“I was very happy with what I accomplished with the show… just to put myself through this type of experience,” she said.

Ramierz said it was an amazing experience and something she got to do for herself.

Unfortunately, she did not win as the Chopped champion of that episode, but she did say that she really enjoyed the experience.

I can imagine that going on a show like that would make a chef have to dig deep for every creative bone in your body to come up with a tasty dish in limited time with some very crazy ingredients.  And the judges want to be able to taste and see each one of the ingredients.

If you would like to check out her restaurant in St. Paul, it;s called Crasqui and it's located on Wabasha Street.  Ramierz says that all of her food has been inspired by her country.

All my menu is inspired in memories in people from my family, friends, trips and every single little town in my country,”