NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – An aspiring young chef from the Tri-State area is back from the experience of a lifetime.

Sam Wohabe, 9, was one of 54 children from across the country invited to the White House for the first ever ‘Kids State Dinner.’

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All the participants in the first-ever event of its kind were winners of a contest to create an original, nutritious recipe as part of first lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to fight childhood obesity.

He joined The Couch to share his story of success. Check out the interview below.