Telford chef competes on Food Network's 'Chopped.' Here's how she got there

Shelby Fahrni was only four when she attempted her first dish.

“I saw Julia Childs dress a chicken on TV. And I was like this is what I want to do with my entire life,” said the now 32-year-old chef, who is appearing Food Network’s “Chopped,” airing Tuesday.

She recalls handing her mom a shopping list for one Cornish game hen, tarragon and lemons.

The plan seemed simple. This young girl — who opted for hen because her hands were too small to handle a whole chicken — would teach her mom how to cook.

“I remember thinking this is greatest moment in my whole life; this is so much better than playing with Barbie’s,” she said cooking with her mom in the kitchen on a dairy farm outside of Kansas City, Missouri.

Fahrni spent much of her childhood taking notes and recreating dishes, inspired by the cooking shows of celebrity chefs like Mario Batali, Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay and Alton Brown.

After graduating from culinary school in 2015, Fahrni learned under Chef Lidia Bastianich of the Batali & Bastianich brands specialing in Italian cuisine, eventually traveled to Bologna, Italy to further enhance her passion and understanding of the Emilia-Romagna region, and later honed her skills in fine dining during her time working for Eddie V’s where she rose to executive chef at the King of Prussia location.

Today, Fahrni lives in Souderton and teaches cooking classes at The Cooking Studio in Telford, which she opened last year.

“I wanted to give back, I wanted to make sure the next generation knows how to cook,” she said.

“It’s also about bringing people together and creating a sense of community. During all of our classes, we encourage people to make new friends and then at the end of each cooking class we turn it into a dinner party where everyone shares their food and tell stories. It’s really great.”

How to watch Shelby Fahrni’s episode of ‘Chopped’

Fahrni’s episode is scheduled to premier Tuesday, April 30 at 8 p.m. on the Food Network.

“Chopped” can also be streamed by renting or purchasing it on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, IVA and Vudu.

Hosted by Ted Allen, “Chopped” challenges four chefs to impress the judges, as they advance through three rounds where they are presented with a basket of mystery ingredients to cook with.

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Fahrni’s episode kicks off the show’s Battle Italiano tournament, which consists of five episodes where four chefs at a time will showcase their knowledge of regional Italian cuisine. The top four finalists will then return to compete in the championship.

The Food Network website offers a teaser about the episode which explores the culinary influences of the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy.

“A slithery surprise and a frozen favorite challenge the chefs in the appetizer round, and those who make it to the entrée round have very different ideas for their veal and mushroom dishes. Then, the two competitors who remain for the dessert round endeavor to represent themselves and their region,” the network wrote.

‘Chopped’ marks Fahrni’s second appearance on Food Network

In 2018, Fahrni went up against three other chefs in season 18 episode 20 of “Guy’s Grocery Games,” in an episode called “Flavor Town Fright Night.”

The network airs reruns of the show, but is also available to stream on demand at watch.foodnetwork.com for those with a TV provider login.

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Learn to cook from Chef Shelby Fahrni at her Telford studio

The Cooking Studio offers in-person and virtual cooking classes, private classes and events, kids camps and kids classes.

Since opening a year ago in March, Fahrni has expanded the offerings and brought on Chef Nelly Shalaby and Chef Lee Mastroni, teaching cuisines from all of the world, everything from sushi and dim sum to Greek cuisine and Lebanese food.

“We’re really hitting all parts of the globe. And I’m always brainstorming new classes that I can teach hands-on,” Fahrni said.

In the future, Fahrni plans to start offering private chef tables and hosting pop-up dinner series in collaboration with other local restaurants to offer special tasting dinners, and in September, she is hosting a women’s culinary trip to Italy.

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Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, economic development, community revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please considering supporting local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County chef competes on Food Network's 'Chopped'