Mercer Island chef Jill Sharpe has been chosen as a finalist in the Food Network YouTube Challenge. Sharpe’s pesto recipe and video earned her a top spot as one of 15 finalists, selected from more than 600 videos submitted.

Sharpe is a chef, entrepreneur and Seattle-area television personality who owns TheLakeKitchen.com, an online community where she shares with visitors her “Make Ahead Meals” meals lifestyle. These recipes show how to prepare elements of meals ahead of time, saving time and effort in the kitchen and allowing for more time to enjoy dinner with family and friends. TheLakeKitchen.com also features cooking tips, how-to articles and video content. Sharpe also makes biweekly appearances on Q13 FOX News This Morning, touting her “Make Ahead Meals.”

The public can vote for Sharpe by going to www.youtube.com/foodnetwork and clicking on the “Vote” tab at the top. Voting can be done daily. The Food Network is accepting video entries from all around the country, and the winner of the Food Network YouTube Challenge will secure a meeting in New York City with Food Network executives to talk about hosting the winner’s own show. Voting ends on Aug. 16.

“Being one of the 15 finalists is an honor. I have a passion for food, life and making lasting memories, and this is an opportunity to follow my dreams,” said Sharpe. “Sharing with people ‘Make Ahead Meals’ can make life easier by making healthy, delicious food on your schedule. With the public’s vote, my dreams can come true.”

For more information and to view the “Make Ahead Meals” video, go to www.thelakekitchen.com.