INTERVIEW: Claudia Sandoval brings her culinary expertise to ‘MasterChef Latino’

Photo: The judges of MasterChef Latino are, from left, Benito Molina, Claudia Sandoval and Ennio Carota. Photo courtesy of Telemundo / Provided by NBC Universal with permission.

---

The MasterChef franchise is one of the most successful culinary brands in the world, and MasterChef Latino, which airs Sundays at 7 p.m. on Telemundo, has now entered its second season. Celebrated celebrity chef Claudia Sandoval is one of the judges on the show, offering her thoughts and criticisms to the contestants each week. She is joined by Benito Molina and Ennio Carota.

Sandoval is the bestselling author of Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico. She is well known to fans of MasterChef because she actually won season six of MasterChef U.S.

The chef was born and raised in San Diego to a family originally from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, and, thanks to her mother and grandmother, she has been cooking since a young age.

Today, her successful catering company is called Claudia’s Cocina, and she has worked with such brands as Coca-Cola and Kellogg’s. Her culinary style is influenced by Mexican coastal cuisine.

Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Sandoval about the second season of MasterChef Latino. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

What was your experience like on MasterChef U.S.? Was it a nerve-wracking experience?

My experience on MasterChef was nothing short of life-changing, and I’m not saying it because I won. But it truly changed the way I think as a professional and as a creative. The judges on MasterChef, Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosí, and Graham Elliott, all pushed me to look beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. They pushed me to dig deep into my roots and find my culinary voice. It’s through that show that I have found the courage to embrace who I am, where I come from and the value that my voice and cuisine brings to the table, literally and figuratively. 

How did you get attached to be a judge on MasterChef Latino?

When the production of MasterChef Latino reaches out to tell me I was being considered, I was beyond ecstatic! To be the first winner to become a judge in the same country was sooooo exciting! I had been appearing on other shows as a judge, so the experience was there. I just needed to prove that I was the best candidate for the job! After all, Telemundo has a number of chefs and talent in their back pocket.

So I worked harder! I made sure that my projects, appearances and social media were top notch, and as a newcomer to this field, I am so glad Telemundo took a chance on this Latina that is willing to work hard! I love showing young girls that if this girl can do it, so can they! Telemundo supports this call of strong, powerful Latinas, and I’m here for it! 

What are some tips that you would offer up-and-coming chefs trying to make a name for themselves?

Be authentic to you. There are many fads and trends that can make you very similar to everyone else out there. It’s OK to use it as inspiration, but if you have no culinary voice, you will get lost in the crowd. The other thing I would say is that the only way to make a name for yourself is for being your biggest loudspeaker! Invest the time to create content, put yourself out there in events and meet people! Being able to make a name for yourself is a lot of work, but you have to be willing to market yourself too if you want to make a name for yourself. 

You are an expert in Mexican cuisine, one of the best cuisines in the world. Do you find that many people are trying to improve their cooking of Mexican food? Sometimes it seems people stick to the basics and don’t know the wonderful diversity of what Mexico and its culinary scene have to offer.

I think that the biggest misconception with all food from all cultures is that there is only a couple of things to it! America is a great country, but in terms of understanding the many varied cuisines from around the world that make it up, we aren’t willing to be too adventurous! We stick to the basics when eating out, which is why when chefs are coming up with menus, they can’t push beyond the envelope and show you true regional cuisine, because you likely won’t order it. It’s a supply/demand chain everywhere we go.

I spent my time on MasterChef U.S. trying to remind people that Mexican food isn’t ‘cheap food.’ We don’t just eat tacos, burritos and enchiladas. We have a very complex gastronomy. I hope to continue to show people the many similarities but the vast differences that true regional Mexican cuisine dishes can offer.  

What makes Mexican coastal cuisine distinct from other Mexican cuisines? Are there more seafood offerings?

Definitely. If you think of Mexican gastronomy, and you think of it the same way you think of Italy, for example, you will understand it better. Mexico, like most countries, uses the ingredients that are available in that region. Port towns will have much more seafood-forward dishes, whereas landlocked regions will have less seafood but more proteins and veggies. 

What I love most about Mexican coastal cuisine is that it really focuses on freshness; it’s like the sushi of Mexico — fresh ingredients from the sea, with little done to them, a focus on simplicity and respect for the ingredients. That’s something I love about my family’s food. 

What does the future hold for you?

Well, we are in our second season of MasterChef Latino! (It’s available with English subtitles (CC3), so no excuses!) This season is full of drama, amazing food, growth and tears! Even from me! 

I have a new show that I’ll be on coming out this fall to Food Network! Stay tuned! So excited! 

I am going to continue making appearances on Best Thing I Ever Ate on Cooking Channel! So watch that! 

But my biggest project right now it the research and development work that I’m doing to set up my first brick-and-mortar restaurant! I really want to be able to share my food with the masses on a daily basis, and it’s taken me a long time to see it through. I want this to be done with love, intent and the right timing. And, well, as the saying goes, all good things come to those who wait … and work hard. (I added that last part!)

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

MasterChef Latino airs on Telemundo. Click here for more information on the show. Click here for more information on Claudia Sandoval.