TV • PAGE 21
THE BULLETIN • MAY 27 - JUNE 2, 2021
tastytv
BY GEORGE DICKIE
Aarón Sánchez
Culinary legends join the judging panel in
Season 11 of ‘MasterChef’
The aprons are fewer and the challenges are
greater as Fox’s “MasterChef” returns for Season 11
with a few culinary heavyweights in tow.
Premiering Wednesday, June 2, the new season
titled simply “Legends” returns Gordon Ramsay,
Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich to the judging
panel to evaluate the creations of home cooks vying
for the coveted apron, joined by rotating guest
judges including Emeril Lagasse, Paula Deen, Curtis
Stone, Roy Choi, Nancy Silverton and Morimoto.
For the first time, only 15 aprons will be awarded
to chefs that make it through the auditions and also
the challenges will be tougher, including a head-to-
head battle with Ramsay himself. So the pressure
will be ramped up on not only the contestants, but
also the judges, who have to think a little harder
about who gets an apron this season.
“Usually, we start with 20-25 aprons that we dole
out,” Sanchez explains. “You compound that with
restricting it to 15 aprons ... yes, I’m definitely more
judicious.
“And also this is Season 11, so every year the
challenges get a little bit more fierce (and) we’re a
lot more specific as far as their skill sets and their
preparedness as far as tackling the (bright) lights
and what this industry has to hold. ... So definitely
this year was one of those years that we had to be
very homed in with their progression throughout
the competition. But also, were we making the
right decisions by giving those aprons? Because we
wanted them to be prepared for this very intense
ride.”
And the toll that intensity took on the chefs
was clearly visible, says Sanchez. Between the
TV cameras, lights, audience, competition and
judging, it can be a very intimidating experience.
But the judges are also mentors who try to talk
the contestants through the competition and the
accompanying hubbub. Sanchez commends his
longtime friend Lagasse, who appears in the opener,
for being particularly adept in this area.
“He brings an unbelievable wealth of knowledge
as far as the whole television aspect,” he says, “and
being able to be part of competitions throughout
his career. So I thought he gave a lot of insight as
far as calming down the contestants, letting them
know that it’s about the food, don’t worry about
the cameras, just do your thing and make sure that
your culinary voice comes out. ...”
“I thought, for the most part, all of the
contestants rose to the challenge,” Sanchez
continues, “and they were able to embrace the
idea of a mentor, another chef as part of the whole
dynamic. I mean, I’m nervous when I’m there
because I’m nervous for them. I want them all to
succeed. I don’t want anybody to fail.”