Kayla Robison, who grew up here and graduated from Grand Forks Central High School, is scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 9, to appear as a contestant on “Guy’s Grocery Games” on the Food Network.
Robison, the daughter of Lisa and Greg Sheard of Grand Forks, is executive chef at Arnold’s Bar and Grill in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Watch parties are planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Rhombus Guys Pizza, downtown at 312 Kittson Ave., and at Arnold’s in Cincinnati. A portion of the proceeds from both parties will be given to support Chalyse Koshikawa, who has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Robison said.
Koshikawa, who used to own and operate Froot and Erb with her husband in the Columbia Mall food court, is a very close family member, said Robison, who was invited to compete in "Guy’s Grocery Games" after “someone suggested me to one of (the show’s) producers."
Robison, who grew up in Grand Forks, was in second grade when she moved here with her family. She graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 2008, a year ahead of her class.
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At age 14, Robison started working at the Royal Fork restaurant in the Columbia Mall. She also worked at the Italian Moon restaurant and, later, Applebee’s restaurant before heading to culinary school in Cincinnati in 2011.
“Originally, I didn’t see myself becoming a chef,” Robison told the Herald in an email. “But I fell in love with the hard work and grind of the business, and just couldn’t stay away.”
About her upcoming appearance on “Guy’s Grocery Games,” Robison said: “I cannot express how honored I am to have had the opportunity to compete on (the show).”
She can’t say much about the show though, because the Food Network prohibits it, she said.
A Facebook post by her employer said: “We can’t tell you if she won or not, so you will just have to watch and find out!”
