Make-A-Wish grants 12-year-old from Peekskill dream of becoming a chef
The foundation granted the wish of 12-year-old Seven Speights on World Wish Day, a day that celebrates the anniversary of the very first wish in 1980.
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A Peekskill girl got her dream to become a chef come true on Monday, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The foundation granted the wish of 12-year-old Seven Speights on World Wish Day, a day that celebrates the anniversary of the very first wish in 1980.
"My kidneys were failing, and it was Stage 5," says Speights. "They had to take both of my kidneys out and give me my mom's kidney."
Speights now has constant visits to hospitals and a laundry list of medications.
She also has to sit out gym class when they are playing a sport that might injure her.
There is one place she's safe - and it's her favorite place - the kitchen.
"I just love food, and I love cooking," she says.
Speights also had a dream of becoming a chef - and Make-A-Wish made that possible.
It started with a motorcade ride to work at JP Doyle Restaurant in Sleepy Hollow and a boss ready to let her take the reigns.
"We asked what she like her restaurant to look like and she expressed to us that she would like to have a menu with pizza, tacos and burgers," explained chef and owner of JP Doyle restaurant, Nicholas Bell.
She's even reimagined the hamburger.
"Her twist was she loved green peppers so she wanted to add diced green peppers to her burger and a special seven sauce we called it ," said Bell.
She says she won't reveal what's in that special sauce.
Everyone seems to love her food.
"The chicken taco, the chicken is very juicy and succulent," said one guest.
"The guacamole had a hint of pepper and it was very light, it was delicious," said another guest.
"She can come to my kitchen! I'd be happy if she made me this burger again," said a third guest.
Both Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow declared Monday "Seven's Day" to honor her.
"It's pretty cool...I didn't expect everyone to come out like this, but it's fun," said Seven.
