Cooking competitions require clever behind-the-scenes strategies to create
a compelling narrative and ensure cameras catch every moment. "Iron Chef," for example, pairs
chefs ahead of filming for scheduling purposes. On "Chopped," ovens are pre-heated, reaction
shots are filmed from multiple angles, and contestants are often selected based on compelling
personal histories. It takes a community to ensure viewers get intensity and drama.
During an exclusive interview with Mashed, judge Aarón Sánchez explained that the production team
at "MasterChef: Legends" works hard to make sure that dishes are judged fairly
and contestants are set up for success in the high-pressure setting. Sánchez said,
"I think, first of all, what's important is that what makes 'MasterChef' the
premier culinary competition in the world, is [that] we mentor."
Regardless of what position a "MasterChef" contestant ascends to, Sánchez said,
"Even if you were to say, fall short, you still walk away with an enormous amount of confidence
with the certainty that you want to get into the culinary world ... I want people to know that."
"Even though we didn't get an apron today, I'm still gonna keep cooking."
"Oh yeah, oh yeah."
"With my mom."
"Oh yeah."
The judge revealed contestants and crew spend about a month or more filming, which requires
some contestants to leave jobs and be away from their families for an extended period.
"So, we're very much invested in their mentoring and seeing them grow as cooks."
Calling the filming process "intense," Sánchez revealed that the goal of the
"MasterChef" production team is "following all the rules" and making sure "it's a fair game."
Being on set means contestants will be forced to cook under conditions they've
never encountered before. To prep them ahead of time, Sánchez explained that,
"The contestants are able to do some masterclasses
where behind the scenes they're working on their cooking skills,
their cutting skills, their sautéing, just some basic techniques to prepare them."
The reason for this, according to Sánchez, is because,
"[...] we feel that would be unfair to throw them into the gauntlet without
us determining where they are, as far as the progression and their growth."
One out of 15 contestants takes home the top prize of $250,000. Thanks to the mentorship program,
it sounds like at least each participant can leave with the training to be a more skilled chef.
Eventually, when it comes time to choose a winner,
Sánchez looks at how each chef has put their new skills to work. He told Mashed,
"The qualities that we look for,
especially towards the latter part of it, is their evolution of their palate
and understanding how to balance flavors and knowing what ingredients go with what."
Sánchez continued to say,
"We're very emotionally invested, and we want to see them, all of them, succeed.
That's what I take a lot of gratification in, knowing that I'm helping them secure
their dream of being in the food world, even if they don't win the whole thing."
"Okay, just by being here, you decided to follow your dreams which
has to be the most important step of all."
Striving for transparency, chef Sánchez explained that
"MasterChef" judges are eating even more food than audiences might realize, saying,
"We do a lot of tasting behind the scenes. So sometimes, you, as a viewer, will see just three
dishes come up, but the reality is that we taste everything hot. We taste everything as it comes
out. We do it with a group of people that make sure that we're following all the rules."
Editing for time means audiences don't witness the
impact the judges can have on these burgeoning chefs. Sánchez explained,
"It's not [like] where in other competitions you have 10 minutes in front of us,
your food sucks, bye-bye, there's no parting gifts."
All the mentorship hopefully delivers chefs better equipped
to enter the culinary field — and more interesting television. As Sánchez puts it,
"Because the end result, for you as a viewer and for us as judges,
[is to] get great food and to see them get better and display
the characteristics and the qualities that are needed to be a top-flight MasterChef."
You can catch more of Aarón Sánchez on the new season of "MasterChef" which airs on Wednesdays
at 8:00 p.m. on FOX. This season, culinary legends like Emeril Lagasse , Paula Deen, Roy Choi,
Nancy Silverton, and Iron Chef Morimoto will join hosts Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich , and
Sánchez as they guide 15 home cooks through a series of challenges for a chance at $250,000.
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