San Jose third-grader wins national chef's competition

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- It was a sweet celebration for a San Jose third-grader on Wednesday morning after she won a national chef's competition. The 9-year-old's creation is something parents would approve of -- a whole new, healthy twist on nachos.

Always stay hungry is a motivational saying many kids hear growing up. But for Willow Glen Elementary School student Elle Medel, it was the desire to end her hunger that led her to winning the 2015 Sodexo National Future Chefs Competition.

"I do a lot of sports and in between my sports I need healthy snacks and Super Fun Apple Nachos is one of the snacks I have," she said in her entry video.

Her video was one of more than 2,000 nationwide entered into the contest, including about 200 from the San Jose Unified School District.

But it was Elle's healthy take on nachos that took first place. On Wednesday, Willow Glen Elementary held a rally to celebrate her victory.

"We're so excited and so proud of her," said her mother, Dyna Medel. "I mean, this whole experience has just been super amazing for her. And to think that she made it this far just is beyond what we ever imagined."

Elle won many prizes including a laptop, Great America passes, and cooking items.

For her, this is just the beginning. She says her recipe is not your typical snack. And Elle is not your typical chef. But look out, cooking world.

"I think I'm going to do more contests," she said. "And then maybe be on my favorite show 'Master Chef.'"

All of the students at the rally got to sample her Super Fun Apple Nachos. It has peanut butter, strawberries, coconut, and other ingredients