Since she was 2 years old, Randi Lenard of Rifle has been helping her mother cook. Now at 11, she is one of 10 finalists in the national Red Robin Kid's Cook-Off with her original burger recipe.

Randi was one of 11,000 entries into the Round Robin Kid's Cook-Off. A decision on the winner will be made on Thursday, Dec. 3, in Denver.

And while Lenard may only be 11 years old, she already has several years of culinary experience under her belt.

“I started helping my mom and grandma cook,” Lenard said with a shy laugh. “I couldn't do hot stuff, but I helped make rolls and cake.”

But as she got older, Lenard began making other dishes by herself.

“With the supervision of my mom,” she added. “But I help my mom make dinner a lot.”

Her favorite things to make include cakes and pastas, including fettuccine Alfredo and spaghetti.

“And I make a good cheesecake — I make it from scratch,” Lenard said proudly. “I top it with strawberries.”

She likes to read cookbooks and watch cooking shows on television.

“She's always been interested in cooking,” said her mom, Debbie Lenard. “She's been helping me since she was two.”

Randi's grandmother, Barbara Lenard, a secretary at Grand Valley High School in Parachute, echoed those thoughts.

“She's just a neat kid and her mom has been doing a good job of teaching her how to cook,” she said.

So what kind of burger did Randi Lenard dish up for the Red Robin Kids' Contest?

A Chili Lime Chicken Roll, which includes a toasted Kaiser roll topped Mexican-style cheese and covered with a grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast that has been marinated with a sauce that includes lime juice, chili powder, garlic and salt. The burger is then topped with slices of avocado and tomato. Lenard created the recipe on her own.

“I absolutely love lime — I love it on apples with salt, “Lenard gushed. “I decided to make something that both my (older) brothers would like. One likes burgers and fries and the other likes all healthy food. I thought this burger would be appealing to someone who likes salad and someone who likes burgers and fries.”

Lenard, the daughter of Debbie and Tim Lenard of Rifle, will travel with the family to Denver for the final competition on Dec. 3. Robin Miller, a celebrity chef with the “Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller” on the FoodNetwork television channel who will be one of the judges. Lenard said she is excited to meet her.

“We'll have to give an oral essay on our burger and why it should win,” Lenard said. “And then we'll build a burger for the judges.”

The winner of the competition is expected to be named on Dec. 3. The winning entry will then be included as a menu item on all Red Robin menus and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the dish will go towards the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

“It would be a huge honor to win and know that I would help missing children be found,” Lenard said earnestly.

The winner will also get an all-expense paid four-day, three-night trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.

“I'm excited,” Lenard said about the competition. “I'm nervous, but I'm excited.”

While ultimate winner of the competition will be determined by the contest judges, a “Fan's Choice” award can still be voted on for the contestants. Winners of the Fan's Choice award will receive a $100 gift certificate to Toys “R” Us and an award of recognition.

As of Monday, Nov. 16, Randi had 463 votes and was ranked No. 5 out of the 10 finalists.

To vote for her, go to www.redrobin. com/kidscookoff.