Hall Employee Highlighted on Food Network

"Worst Cooks in America" Thanksgiving Redemption contestants with chefs Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence. Shauvon is second to the left.

Shauvon Ruffin, a cashier at Hall Hyundai Newport News, is no wiz in the kitchen. Growing up with a grandmother who did all the cooking, and now living with a spouse who does the same, she never felt the need. Then, after weeks of deliberation, she chose to follow her dream of appearing on TV and applied to be a contestant on the Food Network’s "Worst Cooks in America". After losing in the Season 12 finale, Shauvon was asked back for a redemption show with a Thanksgiving theme. Spoiler alert – she won!

“Worst Cooks in America” is a reality television show that aims to transform terrible cooks into skilled kitchen successes during a 10-day culinary boot camp. The 10-episode season is hosted by chefs Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence, who also serve as mentors.

According to Shauvon, adulthood and marriage led her to acknowledge that she was not a good cook. A Facebook post searching for contestants for the latest season of “Worst Cooks in America” prompted her to apply. She was selected through an application and audition process.

The Thanksgiving Redemption episode focused on contestants from previous seasons attempting to redeem themselves and compete against each other. Out of the 14 seasons of the show, Shauvon was one of only four contestants who were called back for the redemption episode. 

“I was paired with a woman named Sarah and was told we had to cook an entire Thanksgiving dinner,” said Shauvon. “The day of the show we were given our tasks – Sarah was given the turkey, and I was given the sides and desserts. The food turned out great and we were listed as “redeemed” and the official winners!

The second time on the show was a different experience for Shauvon. “I knew the chefs more and had a relationship with them. I was more comfortable just being in the kitchen itself  – the first time on the show I didn’t realize how sharp the knives were! I cut my finger on a sharp knife and had the medic follow me all around the kitchen as I continued cooking because I refused to stop. This time around was less traumatic!”

So has this experience changed Shauvon’s life? Is she now the master chef at home?

Not really.

“I still haven’t done that much cooking,” Shauvon admitted, “but I’ve gotten better. I go and help my wife prep – there’s better teamwork in the kitchen now; I don’t just sit there and wait.”