ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) — A Cornell graduate has won the approval of a TV chef.

The Cornell Daily Sun reports Chris Kanik competed on ‘Gordan Ramsay’s Food Stars.’ Kanik, who owns the company Smart Cups, walked away with $250,000. Kanik calls the competition the “hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

At the conclusion of the show last month, Ramsey said he wanted to be part of Kanik’s journey. Kanik graduated from Cornell in 2005.