Teacher competing in ‘Rachael Ray’ cookbook contest

A Penn Cambria High School consumer science teacher is among five finalists competing for the top prize on a CBS television food show.

Lauren Kudlawiec of Ebensburg will face the other contestants Monday morning on the “Rachael Ray Show” for The Great American Cookbook Competition.

The show, produced in New York City, will air locally at 9 a.m. on CBS.

Kudlawiec will follow her signature recipe – Mrs. K’s Sicilian Stromboli – on the show. The dish is one that she also demonstrates to her students every year.

Kudlawiec said she submitted two other recipes for the contest: Madeover Buffalo Chicken Dip and Butter for You Blueberry Pound Cake.

The grand prize includes publication of the winner’s cookbook, Kudlawiec said.

She had to submit a concept and name for her cookbook. Her book would focus on children and family favorites that are affordable, healthy and easy to make. She’d call it “Scrumptious, Simple and Secretly Healthy.”

“I am thrilled to be chosen as a top-prize finalist,” Kudlawiec said. “It will be an honor for me to represent my family, my school and healthy cooking on the ‘Rachael Ray Show.’ ”

Kudlawiec was accompanied to New York City by her husband, Bryan Kudlawiec; her parents, Mark and Barb Bucci of Elton; and her sister, Leah Bucci of Cumberland, Md.

When the contest was announced around Thanksgiving, Ray said that it “makes me believe that anybody can have the opportunity to be their own Rachael Ray.”

Frank Sojak is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/FrankNews10.