A 9-year-old food critic from Bethel, known to his new-found fans as Nicky Zooks, is encouraging kids his age to try new things and providing a boost to restaurants amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nicholas Zaccagno’s YouTube channel, Nicky Will Eat It, has nearly 1,000 followers from around the world.

"When this pandemic started, I wanted to do something for the businesses and so I decided to go to each place and I order my favorite thing and I tell the viewers about it," he told News 12.

Restaurants say Nicky’s videos have been a boost for them. He hopes to have a career as a chef when he grows up.

“I think that it’s really fun to make food," he said.

In his latest video, Nicky visited Note Kitchen and Bar in Bethel.