Danica Patrick loves to cook, and television viewers found out just how good a cook she is on Tuesday, after she won a celebrity episode of the Food Network show "Chopped".
The self-proclaimed foodie, and the Sprint Cup rookie won the Food Network show, beating former former NFL player Tiki Barber, actor/boxer/Hells Angel Chuck Zito and Olympic gold-medalist swimmer Natalie Coughlin.
According USA Today, contestants had 30 minutes to cook a dish that included ingredients provided to them. Patrick was praised for her creativity in her dishes as well as the taste.
Judges included celeb chef judges Marcus Samuelson, Alex Guarnaschelli and Chris Santos Barber was the first to go after cooking a salmon dish. Then Zito, star of the FX series "Sons of Anarchy," was sent home after presenting an incomplete dish.
The final cook-off came down to Patrick and Coughlin. Judges favored Patrick's dessert sandwich over Coughlin's bread pudding.
"[Patrick is] a pro at the stove," said Ted Allen, who hosted the show.
In the desert round, the contestants had to create a dessert with an olive oil cake, and Patrick won with her dish that included peanut butter and chocolate in the middle of the cake.
The athletes competed to win $10,000 for their favorite charity. Patrick's charity of choice was the COPD Foundation; her grandmother died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. According to USA Today, Patrick has taken classes at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, Calif.
Patrick tweeted about the competition Tuesday night:
Lots of fun with @NatalieCoughlin @TikiBarber and @ChuckZito!!!! Man I love cooking! Thanks @FoodNetwork! pic.twitter.com/0STUaw85DH
— Danica Patrick (@DanicaPatrick) September 4, 2013
"One of the more amusing and interesting things about being on a TV show: You never know who's watching," Allen said. "Movie stars, senators, rock stars, NBA players - who knows? So it was extremely fun to find out that Danica Patrick is among our fans, and we're honored and excited to know that such a great competitor on the track appreciates the competition that happens in the 'Chopped' kitchen."
