The 15th season of MasterChef, titled “Dynamic Duos,” shakes up the kitchen with pairs of contestants cooking together for the first time in MasterChef history. And joining Gordon Ramsay and Joe Bastianich on the judging panel on the latest season of MasterChef is chef and TV veteran Tiffany Derry.
She’s competed on shows herself, guest judged before, and now, she’s fully stepping into the judge’s role on MasterChef. Fox 12 Now’s Greg Nibler sat down with Tiffany to talk about her journey, her take on the new format, and her advice for up-and-coming chefs.
“I think it’s a roller coaster of emotions for all of us,”
Tiffany shares about being on the show.
“You fall in love with people, right? And sometimes those people don’t make it.”
What viewers can expect from this season of MasterChef
For those watching at home, this season of MasterChef promises to be a roller coaster of emotion, personality, and food you’ll wish you could taste through your screen.
The stories behind the pairs, their chemistry (or lack of it), and their resilience in the face of pressure are all part of what makes this season stand out.
“It’s just going to be so different with the duo aspect,”
She added.
“You’re going to get enthralled into their stories and their personalities and hopefully you’re going to cook some of the food that they’re cooking.”
In her words?
“It’s good. I can tell you that. It’s good.”
Tiffany’s journey from contestant to judge on MasterChef
Tiffany Derry is no stranger to cooking shows. Before becoming a full-time judge on MasterChef season 15, she appeared as a competitor and guest judge on the show. During the interview with Fox 12, she shared,
“I’ve done both sides. I have come on and been sort of a guest judge on MasterChef and that has been great.”
But now, as a full-time judge, things feel different.
“To be a judge on MasterChef with Gordon and Joe is a whole another thing,”
Tiffany said. She also enjoys mentoring contestants.
“It was great to be able to mentor the dynamic duos and be able to really give my experience that I have to them,”
she explained. Tiffany clearly values the chance to guide and inspire new cooks on the show.
Mentorship matters in the culinary world
Tiffany shared some insight into her own experience with mentorship. Growing up in Bowman, Texas, she said,
“I didn’t really see a lot of mentorship for me available. I didn’t know the right people. I didn’t know people in culinary. I didn’t know women chefs.”
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This shaped her approach to helping others.
“I try really hard to make sure that folks can see me as one and know that if you ever need a little bit of help hopefully I can guide them along the way,”
she said. Mentorship is important in any career, but especially in the kitchen, where learning from experience can make all the difference.
Teamwork makes the dream work on MasterChef
One of the big questions Tiffany faced was whether she preferred cooking solo or in a team. Before the season, she thought she would prefer working alone.
“Probably before this season I would have said by myself,”
she admitted. But after seeing the dynamic duos in action, her mind changed.
“It’s about picking the right person because if you can have a duo who maybe does something different than you do or perhaps has better strength in certain things,”
she explained. Whether it’s baking, organization, or plating, having a partner who complements your skills is key.
“Just having someone that kind of is the ying to your yang I think is important,”
Tiffany added. Of course, the wrong pairing can lead to problems, but the right team can really shine.
Advice for aspiring chefs from Tiffany Derry
Tiffany also offered some solid advice for people just starting out in the culinary world.
“Just become really good at what you do, meaning learn the fundamentals of cooking,”
she said. In the age of Instagram and food bloggers, it can be tempting to rush to fame, but Tiffany warns against skipping the basics.
“You really need to learn the basics and the foundation of cooking. You need to be a strong cook. You need to understand what a sauté and a grill is and how to properly do that,”
she explained. She also emphasized the business side of things.
“You need to learn how to run a business right if you want to grow within this industry.”
For those thinking of catering or personal chef work, understanding food cost and profitability is crucial.
“Make sure you know what you’re doing before trying to take over Instagram,”
she joked.
MasterChef season 15, with its new duo format, is shaping up to be a season full of teamwork, emotions, and, of course, delicious food. Because of Tiffany Derry’s experience and insights shared during her interview on Fox 12, fans have a great glimpse of what’s in store. From the intense competition to the heartfelt stories, this season promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. So mark your calendars and get ready to watch MasterChef unfold like never before.