A teacher from the Hudson Valley was one of just a few selected to compete for an apron on the upcoming season of "MasterChef."

In October, North Rockland teacher Daniela Savone went for a "MasterChef" audition. After she made the top 80 she resigned from her teaching position of 15 years and went to L.A. to continue pursuing her cooking dream.

Savone then reached the top 40, beating thousands of home cooks across the country to be cast on the show.

Savone tells Hudson Valley Post she's a self-taught cook. For over 40 years, her father has owned and operated the Italian Food Center deli on Route 9W in West Haverstraw.

"My love passion for cooking started in my nonna's kitchen then working my entire life on the weekends for my dad at the deli," Savone said.

Season 9 of "MasterChef" airs at 8 p.m. Wednesday. This season, for the first time ever, the judges, including award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, acclaimed chef Aarón Sánchez and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich, will choose their favorite home cooks and mentor them throughout the competition.

As in the past, only one home cook will claim the "MasterChef" title and the $250,000 grand prize.

Another all-new two-hour episode of "MasterChef" will air Wednesday, June 6 at 8 p.m.

Savone tells Hudson Valley Post she will be competing for an apron with the "Italian Group" on June 6.

Savone taught Italian cooking to adults through the adult continuing education program at North Rockland High School. She also wrote two cookbooks, selling the cookbooks around the Hudson Valley, to raise and donate $5,000 for a scholarship fund.

Savone is now back in the Hudson Vally, teaching English at the high school where she graduated from, Mamaroneck High School.

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