Wyckoff Native, NJ Chef Is 'Chopped' Champion

WYCKOFF, NJ — Wyckoff native and New Jersey restaurant owner Kiersten Gormeley is the latest winner of the Food Network's "Chopped" series.

The episode aired Tuesday, and Gormeley took to social media to express what the victory means to her.

"The world found out I was a #ChoppedChampion last night. I sat on this news for 6 months, I couldn’t tell a soul. My dreams were made. I remember watching this show when I was in 3rd grade hoping to be on it one day, even when Krista and I were kids pretending to play our 'Cafe Croissant' make believe restaurant that is now what we call 'Shaka Bowl'," she wrote.

Gormeley, her sister, Krista, and brother, Eric, are the owners of Shaka Bowl, a Hoboken-based restaurant that will start franchising across the country in June. The family hails from Wyckoff, and both Kiersten and Krista attended Ramapo High School.

According to a 2019 Patch report, much of the inspiration for Shaka Bowl comes from a year-long trip to Hawaii in 2014. The offerings at the restaurant would fit into the catch-all category of "health foods," and fit a range of dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and plant-based options.

But another inspiration came from Gormeley's personal journey, which includes a bout with thyroid cancer in 2016. Read more: Hoboken Restauranteur Beats Cancer, Opens Eatery With Siblings

Shaka Bowl honored their executive chef with a message on Instagram, and a thank you to their customers.

"Since she was a little girl it’s been @chefkiersteng dream to be on the @foodnetwork #Chopped. With an underlying passion for food, a need for a healthier food option on the market, a burning sensation to create, and the strongest perseverance to never give up on her dreams, Kiersten is now officially a Chopped Champion who continues to cater to hundreds of people a day with the food that she has mindfully crafted," it read.

"Thank you for believing in her, for trusting us, for spending your lunches and breakfasts with us, your post workout, your coffee dates, your mommy and me dates with your babies, your continued support of our tiny little dream is what it’s all about for us. Thank you."

With reporting from Eric Kiefer.

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.