Maria Petridis Crowned ‘Chopped’ Champion on Food Network Show

Bayside, NY chef Maria Petridis has been crowned “Chopped” champion after triumphing in the competition show on the Food Network.

Meet Maria Petridis

Maria Petridis is the owner of the family restaurant, Maria’s Mediterranean Seafood & Grill on Bell Boulevard in Bayside, NY. This season on ‘Chopped’, she bested some stiff and intense competition for the $10,000 prize. She donated the proceeds to the charitable organization, Make-A-Wish Foundation. The show was televised on December 28 on the Food Network.

Competing on ‘Chopped’

The cooking competition ‘Chopped’ consisted of four chefs being timed to create three meals: an appetizer in 20 minutes, a main course in 30 minutes, as well as a dessert in another 30 minutes. They were given specific ingredients for each. After each meal was prepared, they had to present it in front of the judges who determined the outcome of which chef was going to get “chopped” from the show.

Maria Petridis wins

Maria Petridis won, and rightfully so. Following the show, where everybody was gathered at Maria’s on Bell Boulevard, to watch the outcome live, Maria made some warm remarks, fighting back tears.

“Thank you so much. Thank you for being here. All of you here are so special to me. You are always there when I need you, and I hope that someday I can repay you all back.”

She went on to tell everybody what a beautiful organization the Make-A-Wish Foundation is, and hopes other people check it out.

Guests were treated to traditional home-made Greek food. After all, it is the restaurant’s motto that everything is “truly home-made.” A celebration followed, including Greek dancing. Her concluding thoughts for the local community are that she hopes to inspire other people to get involved in cooking.

Maria’s Mediterranean Seafood & Grill is located at 38-11 Bell Boulevard in Bayside, Queens. 718.279.1606 Website 

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Markos Papadatos

Markos Papadatos is an acclaimed Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 4,400 articles over the past 9.5 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music including Aerosmith, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Dame Vera Lynn, Lee Ann Womack, Idina Menzel, Hank Williams Jr., Connie Smith, Lynn Anderson, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Ray Price, Charley Pride, Armin van Buuren, The Marshall Tucker Band, Megadeth, Charlie Daniels, Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart, Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson from The Bangles, Matchbox 20, Hot Chelle Rae, Martin Garrix, Jewel, Amy Grant, Kris Allen, David Cook and Phillip Phillips from American Idol, teen sensations Cody Simpson and Austin Mahone, Daniel Powter, Matt Nathanson, Little Big Town, Easton Corbin, Chris Young, Sandi Patty, Matthew West, DJs Paul van Dyk and Sander van Doorn, Dan Tyminski, Ron Block and Jerry Douglas from Alison Krauss and Union Station, Rhonda Vincent, Del McCoury, Gene Watson, among countless others. He has also interviewed Olympic gold medalist in wrestling Mark Schultz (whose life was made into the film "Foxcatcher"), as well as Olympic gold medalist in diving David Boudia, and the world's greatest magician, Criss Angel.

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