He won the TVE culinary competition, with Ferran Adriá as guest jury
At the age of 32, María Lo can already say that she has fulfilled one of her dreams: to become the winner of ‘Masterchef’ and to dedicate herself completely to cooking, her true passion. The young woman from Hong Kong and Cadiz took the win after a duel with Verónica in the show’s grand finale, which brought in an average audience of 1,769,000 viewers in La 1 and an acceptance rate of 17.8%, a season record.
– Were you able to sleep at night?
“More or less, huh?” I’m a little broken. I attended the final in Madrid because I ended up having to come to the media the next day and so on. Fortunately, I know people in the capital and have been able to see it in some friends’ house. I was guided very well in the final, although my mother was missing, but I see her with her on a delayed basis. I experienced it with great emotion when I saw myself on TV. That’s where I was most nervous.
Was it difficult to keep the secret?
-Only my closest circle knew, my mother and my girl. It cost to keep the secret in a tomb, don’t see what it costs.
-It was, however, one of the clear favorites of the edition.
–During the thirteen programs of the tenth edition of ‘Masterchef’ I had an experience with millions of emotions. I came in very strong and said I was going to eat the world, but in the third or fourth week I had a slump of insecurity, when I broke down with the cheese souffle. That was quite difficult, but that same emotion woke me up.
– They said their elaborations were perfect and unique.
–Imagine Ferran Adriá and part of the ‘Masterchef’ jury saying that about your dishes. I couldn’t ask for a greater compliment. There is nothing more, I was shocked and it was very cool.
–What have you learned from your experience in ‘Masterchef’?
-In the professional part, it has allowed me to dedicate myself firmly to the kitchen, which is what I am passionate about. On a personal level, because I had exposed myself so much to a fear that I really had, namely being judged and being a perfectionist… This program has told me: «You put yourself first here, you will work on all those fears and confront them ». I’ve had the opportunity to search for the tools within that program, learn that it’s normal to make mistakes, respect you, and don’t beat yourself up like that. This will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Which juror were you most afraid of?
I get on well with everyone (laughs). I’ve seen myself very much in Jordi Cruz and I think he’s with me too, in my way of working and how I took everything seriously. Samantha Vallejo-Nágera is also super funny and has a very big heart.
Why did you decide to enter the competition?
-It was the second time I presented myself to ‘Masterchef’. First I cast the form, although I think I did it out of time. After that I didn’t tell anyone, but I re-introduced myself. Suddenly they told me I was in the second casting and then I went to the face-to-face stage. ‘Masterchef’ came to me at a time when I was ready to live the experience.
– Where does your passion for cooking come from?
I have loved cooking since I was quite small. It comes from my father, whom I used to see in the kitchen. His way of giving me affection and love was through the stove, because emotions cost him a little more. I started cooking more when I was a teenager and I haven’t stopped since then. I am cooking every day.
What are you going to invest the money you earn?
-The most direct thing is to continue training because I won the prize of the Basque Culinary Center. At the same time, I will continue with other fronts that I have in mind. I would like to set up a ‘delivery’ in Barcelona with several sets of mine so that they arrive at people’s homes. I also have an olive oil project with my girl.
-He was surprised by his good relationship with his ex-girlfriend on the show.
–When the two of us found out that we were going to be in the casting of ‘Masterchef’, that relationship that had been frozen for four years and ended because we didn’t end well, suddenly rekindled and we had a lot of contact. It was a beautiful friendship that I think has manifested itself. She has been a great support in the coexistence of the house as she was someone I already knew.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
