'Great Foodini' Competes on MasterChef Reality Show

Renee Chodkowski, a.k.a. the "Great Foodini," is back to blogging after competing on the hit Fox show "MasterChef," which premeieres June 6-7.

The cooking enthusiast from Genoa Township, who has gained a loyal following through her Great Foodini blog and the many cooking classes she teaches in town, is among participants in the second season of the culinary reality show starring famed chef Gordon Ramsay.

Fans of Chodkowski's "Great Foodini" blog may have wondered why she hadn't posted favorite recipes or entertaining stories about cooking and food since Feb. 6. They found out on May 22, when Chodkowski launched a sleek redesigned blog and the following day posted a video announcing her appearance on MasterChef.

Chodkowski said she had to make her blog "black" while participating on the show.

"I will be starting regular posts soon and will also be posting Great Foodini Magical Minutes, which are one-minute video clips of food tips and tricks," she said.

The second season of MasterChef has Ramsay, along with returning judges Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot, put contestants through a series of high-pressure elimination rounds.

After a nationwide search for the best amateur cooks in America, 100 contestants are flown to Los Angeles to present signature dishes to the judges, according to MasterChef's Website. Of those, 38 are then asked to tie on aprons and slice and dice a truckload of apples, along with create a chicken dish on the fly.

The top 18 graduate to the MasterChef kitchen where they are put through their paces in a series of challenges designed to test their palate, food knowledge, passion and culinary skills. The winner receives a $250,000 grand prize.

A self-described foodie, Chodkowski has taught enrichment cooking classes for over 20 years through various local school districts, private lessons, and most recently at Howell's MainStreet Winery. 

"I love planning to cook, preparing to cook, cooking and even cleaning up but most of all I love eating, especially when I can share that with the loves of my life, my family and friends," she wrote on her blog.

Chodkowski is staying mum on how far she gets in the show, but viewers can find out by watching. Fox's "MasterChef" returns with a two-night season premiere at 8 p.m. Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7.

Chodkowski said more exciting announcements are on the way.

"I am going to be doing some things with the Farmers Market which should be interesting," Chodkowski said as she whisked out of town once more. "I love doing things that are local."