frisch_120Emma Frisch, Ithaca resident, co-founder of PEAKS and former Program Director at Cornell Cooperative Extension, will be competing on Season 10 of the Food Network’s most exciting reality cooking competition 'Food Network Star'. Shot in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York, this season kicks off with a one-hour premiere on Sunday, June 1st at 9pm ET/PT, and the winner will be named in the season finale on Sunday, August 10th at 9pm ET/PT.”

According to Food Network’s website, “The twelve new contenders are put to the test in a season filled with unique competitions challenging their kitchen and on-camera chops, to find out who has the talent and charisma to follow in Alton, Giada and Bobby’s footsteps and helm their own show. Exclusive web series Star Salvation also returns, giving one eliminated contestant the opportunity to rejoin the on-air competition, which culminates in an audience vote to determine who wins the ultimate prize - their own show on Food Network.

One of 12 finalists on the show, Frisch has lived in Ithaca since 2011, after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with an individualized concentration in food studies and a bachelor's in environmental studies and public health. In 2011, Frisch began her food blog and online cooking show Frisch Kitchen (formerly Cayuga Street Kitchen) where she creates and shares amazing recipes like her Kale Caesar Salad and Breaded Lemon-Coriander Acorn Squash.

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Frisch’s philosophy to food is simple, stating, “I believe anyone can become fearless in the kitchen, and I love teaching people how to boost their kitchen confidence with simple, ingredient-driven recipes.” Frisch hopes to expose Ithaca as the culinary treasure that it is. “Ithaca is one of the most bountiful regions in the country, with a rich history in world-class food production. The Finger Lakes wine country has gained international recognition, and I really think the whole region is one of the best food destinations in the country, if not the world. I’ve traveled a lot, and found few places quite as unique - there is so much to offer! I want to show everyone how amazing our community is.”

Frisch, an active member of the Ithaca Community, has been involved in projects such as Tompkins County Tourism, specifically contributing to the Agriculture and Culinary Task Force  on the Strategic Tourism and Planning Board. She has worked with Greenstar Community Projects’ Food Just Summit in 2012 and 2013, and partnered with Sara Worden (Full Plate Farm Collective CSA Coordinator) to launch the first CSA Cooking Class series in Ithaca with other locally renowned chefs and artisans like Katie Church (42 West 76 North) and Stefan Senders (Wide Awake Bakery). Frisch is also the Co-founder and previous Director of the crowdfunding website PEAKS, which has helped over 40 Changemakers in greater Ithaca collectively raise over a quarter million in funding for programs such as The Ithaca Health Alliance, 4-H Youth Development, New York Youth Against Fracking.

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