Arlington Heights Chef Headed For Season Finale of “Chopped”

After Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Food Network's hit series "Chopped" is probably the most addictive offering on their TV lineup.

Hey, they're in season number 49 (or more) at this point, so I've got to think that there's something about this reality-TV cooking competition show that people really seem to love.

Come Up With An Appetizer, Entrée, And Dessert...How Hard Can That Be?

Actually, it looks like it's incredibly hard. Contestants on Chopped have to figure out those three things, but---they have to make them with a basket of mystery ingredients, and they have to do it in 30 minutes.

Some of the most bizarre things that Chopped contestants have had to deal with include, but are not limited to, these items (CheatSheet.com):

• Dried fermented scallops
• Chicken feet
• Whole chicken in a can
• Eyeballs
• Durian fruit
• Dulse (a type of red algae)
• Scrapple (look it up)
• Coagulated pig’s blood
• Rocky Mountain Oysters
• Geoduck
• Squid Ink

After Winning Tuesday Night's Episode of Chopped, Grace Goudie Is Advancing To The Season Finale On February 1st

The Arlington Heights chef picked up a cool $10,000 for Tuesday's win, and if (I mean when) she wins the Chopped season finale, she'll pocket another $25,000.

The Daily Herald reports that Grace is executive chef of the popular breakfast, lunch and brunch restaurant Scratchboard Kitchen at 5 W. Campbell Street in Arlington Heights.

Looking at her food on the restaurant's Facebook page makes me want to hop in the car and visit as soon as I can.