What a treat! I watched the premiere episode of Food Network's "Worst Cooks in America" today because Rhode Island has a contestant in the pack.

She's the sweet Jennifer Vecchio of Cumberland, a dancing studio owner. Many of the other contestants are real characters, in every sense of the word. They are quirky and eccentric and wacky and not at all the beautiful people one has come to expect on reality TV programs. What all have in common is that they are clueless in the kitchen.

Turnip surprise, peanut butter encrusted cod, mac and cottage cheese, rubbery chocolate pancakes -- watching these dishes prepared and tasted will keep anyone on their New Year's diet. But you will laugh out loud and find the hour-long show flies by.

Vecchio, a wife, mother of four and until this show, a bad cook, makes a dreadful Tuna Mac and Cheese to earn her a spot among the 12 finalists who vie for a grand prize of $25,000. The winner will be crowned Monday, Feb. 1 for learning their lessons well. That is when the last two contestants cook for restaurant critics.

I spoke to Vecchio today and it was nothing less than inspirational. She admits she really didn't think she was a bad cook. Her family did a lot of take out and she didn't get the message when her kids, aged 9-17, all made excuses to skip the Sunday dinner she planned each week.

Now she knows how to cook and has a passion to make pleasing dishes each day.

For the first time, her family got to stay home on Christmas Day because she cooked for the family. Sixteen guests were wowed by her turkey, ham, appetizers and desserts. She spent five hours preparing the meal and would have happily spent five more, she said.

Her 10 days with chef Beau MacMillian on the show was life changing. You can read her whole story in Saturday Lifebeat and on projo.com/food.