Gilroy girl describes experience on network show

What were you doing when you were eight years old? At that young age, one Gilroy girl has already made her cooking debut on national television.

“The experience was very fun,” Alexis Higgins said. “It was great being on the show, meeting new friends and seeing famous people.”

Higgins was a competitor on the show “Master Chef Junior,” the youngest of the 19 kids featured.

“It was exciting because I got to cook and it’s my dream but it’s scary because you get judged and you get voted off,” Alexis said.

Judged by the one, the only, Gordon Ramsey. He may be a mean guy with the adults, but he’s a mentor for the kids.

“He’s nice because whenever he talks to you,” Alexis explains, “He encourages us and he’s not that mean.”

While her time on the show didn’t last long, don’t think she’s putting her dreams on the back burner.

“When I’m older, I want to go on ‘Master Chef’ and pursue my dream of being a teacher that teaches kids how to cook and have my own television show,” Alexis said.

This experience has really opened doors for her. She’s been featured on Bay Area morning programs and is working on YouTube videos.

She offers this advice to kids who want to get into cooking –

“Watch cooking shows, go to culinary schools and maybe learn from a family member or friend to cook,” Alexis said.

MasterChef Junior airs on Fox every Tuesday.