56°
Miros, a Dumont native who lives in River Vale, is a contestant on the third season on the FOX cooking show hosted by Gordon Ramsey. And when she's not serving up culinary delights in the kitchen she works as a nurse in the intensive care unit.
On "Next Level Chefs", Ramsay, Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais mentor the chefs as they face "unique" challenges on three different kitchen levels — literally.
Contestants must cook their way up, literally, as there are three levels of kitchens, each kitchen better than the next with better equipment and more ingredients. The goal is to cook your way up to the top kitchen.
Miros had been a fan of the show, watching it with her daughter, and wanted to be on a cooking competition show. Alexandra Donnadio, a Hillsborough native and Essex County Sheriff's detective, is also competing on this season.
"This seemed like the perfect fit for me," Miros said.
The application process was lengthy and involved answering lots of questions about her strengths and weaknesses in the kitchen and participating in an hour long Zoom call with casting producers. When Miros found out she had been cast on the show, she broke down and cried.
"I was just ecstatic," Miros said. "It felt unreal."
While the first two seasons were filmed in Las Vegas, Season 3 moved production to County Wicklow in Ireland. Miros said the first day of shooting was very intense.
"It was completely nerve-wracking," Miros said. "You walk into this great room and see these three powerful chefs you looked up to. It almost didn't look real."
Despite her nerves, Miros said when it was time to cook, her natural instincts kicked in and she began feeling more comfortable. And while Ramsay is known for his intensit and fiery demeanor, Miros loved working with him.
"He is a gem," Miros said. "He has the most amazing energy. You can't help but love the guy."
Miros ended up on Arrington's team, which was what she hoped for.
"I love her, she is a boss," Miros said of the chef known as "The Ninja." "She is a force in the kitchen and I knew she had the personality and demeanor that would push me and not let me slip up. She doesn't take crap from anyone."
For her debut episode, Miros rented out a movie theater and friends and family came to watch her small screen debut. She has received a lot of thoughtful messages on social media, particularly from parents who say their daughters are inspired by her.
"It gives me a positive outlook on the possibilities for my own life," Miros said. "It's been really touching."
As for Miros' own family, she said her daughter has really enjoyed watching her mom on TV.
"She loves it," Miros said. "It's so exciting for her. Though she told me something I said in an episode was 'cringe,' but I expect that."
The winner of "Next Level Chef" gets $250,000 and a one-year mentorship under the celebrity chefs. Miros, who does catering and private chef work, said she would put the money into her business.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Northern Highlands and receive free news updates.
