Masterchef 2012 aired right after Hell’s Kitchen. In that show we saw a lot of chefs failing to cook anything, but Masterchef showed some wonderful dishes. Amazing that the amateur cooks look more professional than the chefs.
The Judges
The panel of judges for Masterchef are Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and Graham Elliot.
The Prizes
The prizes for this season of Masterchef are a cash prize of $250,000 and the title of Masterchef. The winner will also receive their very own cookbooks to be published and placed in bookshops around the country.
The Contestants
The first two episodes of this season is dedicated to finding the final competitors. 100 home cooks had been brought to cook their dish before the judges and convince them to be given a white apron. This apron represents their continued battle in Masterchef.
The Competition
The hopeful cooks had time to prepare their dishes outside in the waiting areas. They could present anything to the judges that represented their culinary personalities. Some people made cakes, while others created hearty stews. Once their place in line was called, they had five minutes in front of the judges to finish their dishes. This was an opportunity to introduce who they are and their skills in the kitchen.
There were many ‘crazies’ who looked like they would be better suited to Worst Cooks In America. Some people were very impressive, like Josh. He was a 7 foot tall young man who “dunks onions and carrots in a pan” rather than a basketball. He presented the judges with shrimp etoufee that the judges loved. The respectful and humble nature of Josh was heartwarming and he is a definite favorite to go far in the competition.
After seeing some very egotistic and disrespectful cooks get their aprons (I’m talking about you Ryan), a very surprising cook was brought in. Christine was helped in by her husband where we discover she is totally blind. She developed an autoimmune disorder and had lost her sight over a decade. With no cure or treatment, she had learned to accept her disability and use it to her advantage. She cheekily told the judges that she’s a better cook now because her sense of taste is heightened. Joe Bastianich was so touched by her tenacity that we got to see a softer side of him as he teared up. She was ushered through and will compete to become a Masterchef.
