Tough critics prepared chef Carol Koty for the World Food Championships – the residents of Brookdale Senior Living in Wilton.

Koty, 32, is the head chef at Brookdale Senior Living and last month placed second in the seafood category at the championships.

"Working with my residents really gives me an opportunity to get immediate feedback on every dish I make, so their honesty makes be a better chef,” says Koty.

Koty describes the event as the Olympics for chefs and cooks. She say more than 500 teams from 14 countries compete.

"I've competed now five times in three different states and three different categories,” says Koty. “But seafood category is my home."

The second-place chef also gets high marks from her residents.

"That fish with the pecan crust, that was the most delicious thing I have ever tasted,” remarked Honey Feinberg about one plate. “We are just so lucky to have Carol here.”

Koty’s second-place winning dish was a butter poached lobster tail, seared sea scallops and grilled stuffed shrimp in hot cherry pepper sauce with a lobster puff pastry on top. Her goal for next year is to come in first place.

Koty originally went to school to be a marine chemist but changed paths to the culinary arts after winning a pie competition.