Bogrow & Associates Blog

Stephanie Hosko wasn’t the least bit nervous before her national television appearance on NBC’s Today Show last month, and took a comedic stab at co-host Ralph Macchio to prove it.

Stephanie, the 10-year-old daughter of John and Lauren Hosko of Plymouth, was in New York (and on Today) as part of her status as a finalist in the Jif Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich contest.

The national TV appearance – and a tour of NBC Studios, a visit to the Statue of Liberty and a carriage ride through Central Park – were among the highlights of Stephanie’s trip to New York , a reward for being among the five finalists in the national contest.

The only downside of the trip: Stephanie didn’t win the $25,000 grand prize. She did, however, come away with a $2,500 runner-up prize, a loss softened by the friendship she struck up with Rachel Granillo, the California girl who won the top prize.

“I was kind of disappointed, but I was happy for Rachel,” Stephanie said.

Stephanie, a student at All Saints Academy in Canton, rode to the finals of the contest on the strength of on-line voting for her “chickenchita” sandwich. She joined four other finalists at The Culinary Loft in New York, where judges tasted the five sandwiches and rendered their decision.

But that was only part of the trip, on which she was joined by her mom and grandmother, Diane Roslinski, who prompted Stephanie to enter the contest. She met Curtis Stone, a chef from the TV show “Biggest Loser,” and also met General Hospital stars Anthony Geary, Jonathan Jackson and Nathan Parsons.

There were also the television appearances, including on local CW-11 and the afternoon version of Today, with co-hosts Macchio and Hoda Kotb. Before that appearance, Lauren Hosko and her sister were explaining the “wax on, wax off” scene from Macchio’s biggest movie, The Karate Kid.

When Kotb talked to Stephanie about the chickenchita, Stephanie deadpanned, “The most important part is the righty circles and lefty circles.” The quip drew laughs from Macchio.

It was all part of the whirlwind trip that included rehearsals, tourist sites, the television shows and, of course, the contest.

“They had us busy pretty much from 7 to 3 every day,” Lauren Hosko said. “It was a very high pressure trip, (but) Stephanie handled it like a pro. She has had an experience of a lifetime, and I hope she will carry the memories with her always.”

Stephanie’s response to the four-day journey was more tourist-y.

“It was just cool to see the big city and all the fancy hotels and restaurants,” Stephanie said.

Stephanie Hosko with her grandmother, Diane Roslinksi, at The Culinary Loft, where the Jif sandwich contest took place. It was Roslinski who encouraged Stephanie to enter the contest.