By JULIE MULLEN

The PBS correspondent can charm the press and seemingly handle any question thrown her way. An amazing feat, many would say, for a girl who is all of 8.

Grace Campbell, 8, of Elgin walks the red carpet at the premiere for "The Jr. Cuisine Cooking Show" on Aug. 27 in Chicago. Campbell was named to the cast of the show after auditioning earlier this year.
(Submitted)

Campbell, an Elgin resident, was chosen from 1,600 young hopefuls this summer who were auditioning to be on the first-ever cooking show for kids.

"I am very excited," she said. "It's been my dream since I was little."

The PBS-WYCC production in Chicago, dubbed "The Jr. Cuisine Cooking Show," had its first run last week. Campbell has been cast as a correspondent who will go on location to interview chefs and other restaurant personnel.

The show features children ages 8 to 14 who will cook, sing and educate viewers in front of a live studio audience, with help from a surprise guest chef each week.

The third-grader from Burlington School District 301's Prairie View Grade School has been seeking a chance to hit the big time, according to her mother, Heather Campbell.

"She's always said to me, 'Mom, when can I be in commercials or get to be on TV?' " Heather said. "I've been looking for something for her, and then this came up."

Grace learned her lines for the audition in just 20 minutes, impressing producers for the show, Heather said.

After the singing portion, Grace was asked to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a creative fashion, after which she commented that wheat bread was much better than white bread since there's no high fructose corn syrup.

"She was very smart, and just threw that out there," Heather said. "The executive producers were just in awe."

"The Jr. Cuisine Cooking Show" will run on PBS' Channel 20 WYCC network at 11 a.m. Saturdays. With the pilot already launched, the weekly show will begin airing in mid-to-late September.

The red carpet premiere event took place last week at the ShowPlace ICON theater in Chicago.

Grace, who recently started up a Make a Difference Club at her school, was soaking in the limelight, according to her mom.

"She just ate it up," Heather said. "She was so excited to be there."

While Grace is basking in her role as TV correspondent for now, she said her real passion is singing.

Like many girls her age, Grace's favorite movie is Disney's "High School Musical." She has been involved in several plays in local theater to hone her vocal talent, hoping for a big break.

"I just love to sing," she said. "It's really what I hope to do someday."