'MasterChef' USA Season 13: Who is Nina? Contestant reveals love for squirrel fat and impresses judge Gordon Ramsay with her 'technical flare'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the previous season finale of 'MasterChef', Dara Yu emerged victorious, becoming the youngest-ever MasterChef by defeating Christian Green and Michael Silverstein. Now, in 'MasterChef' Season 13, the show takes on a new theme called "United Tastes of America", where chefs from different regions, including the Northeast, Midwest, West, and South, come together to compete. The premiere episode focuses on the Northeast auditions.
The aspiring chefs will present their signature dishes to judges Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez, Joe Bastianich, and guest judge Daphne Oz. Only five home cooks will earn the coveted white apron and continue their journey toward becoming the next MasterChef. During the exciting premiere, we met Nina from Maine, who showcased her exceptional culinary skills in the kitchen. Notably, she shared her fondness for incorporating squirrel fat into her cooking, adding a unique touch to her dishes.
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Who is 'MasterChef' USA Season 13 contestant Nina?
Nina, a marketing manager from Maine, is among the talented five home chefs who successfully made it through the intense auditions on 'MasterChef'. She possesses a genuine passion for hunting and gathering her own ingredients, showcasing her dedication to creating flavorful dishes. With a vibrant and charismatic personality, Nina adds an extra spark to the kitchen.
For her audition, Nina delighted the judges with her creative culinary creation -- Venison & Bok Choy Dumplings accompanied by a refreshing combination of cilantro, cucumber, peanut, and chili salad. Her dish exemplified her ability to blend different flavors and ingredients, resulting in a harmonious and satisfying meal. The judges were impressed by Nina's bold flavors, skillful execution, and the unique touch of incorporating venison, a type of deer meat, into her dumplings.
Nina's love for exploring diverse flavors and her willingness to step outside the traditional culinary boundaries demonstrate her adventurous spirit. Her passion for creating memorable and innovative dishes makes her a formidable contender in the competition, leaving the judges eager to see what other culinary delights she will bring to the 'MasterChef' kitchen.
Nina reveals she likes squirrel fat on 'MasterChef' Season 13
The judges admired Nina's beautifully presented dish, but they expressed concern about its lack of fat. To their surprise, Nina shared that she is a devoted fan of squirrel meat and fat and frequently incorporates it into her home-cooked meals. Her unique use of this unconventional ingredient fascinated and impressed the judges, and it even caught the attention of a few social media users. One user expressed astonishment and said, "Gah damn no animal is safe with some people. Squirrel fat." Another user remarked, "Wow. Didn't think Squirrel meat had fat in them, considering how small they are. #Masterchef."
Continuing their evaluation, the judges shared their individual opinions. Gordon Ramsay, in particular, was captivated by Nina's impressive "technical flare". Daphne found the dish "delicious" and referred to the cucumber salad as "out of control" in a positive way. Joe, known for being more demanding, criticized the seasoning as "totally off" and labeled Nina's dish as "amateur". Despite the critique, Aaron appreciated Nina's audacity and recognized that there were some technical issues. Ultimately, Aaron gave her the third and final "yes" needed for her to advance in the competition, acknowledging Nina's boldness and potential.
Wow. Didn't think Squirrel meat had fat in them, considering how small they are. #Masterchef
— Jason Eldridge (@Dueler312) May 25, 2023
Gah damn no animal is safe with some people. Squirrel fat #MasterChef pic.twitter.com/WqLl352JoK
— Linda (@mzcaramelbunni) May 25, 2023
Indulge your culinary senses every Wednesday at 8 pm ET/PT with the sizzling culinary showdown of 'MasterChef' Season 13. The show will premiere on Fox and Hulu the following day.
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