Kris Aquino, Richard Gomez to judge ‘MasterChef Pinoy Edition: Live Cook-off’

The Final Four cooks Carla, Ivory,JR, and Myra will face head-to-head in their live and final cooking challenge in MasterChef Pinoy Edition: The Live Cook-off this Saturday (Feb 9), 10 AM at the SM North Edsa Skydome.

The first ever Pinoy MasterChef will finally be determined by Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo and Chef Ferns, Chef Lau, and Chef Jayps who will be sampling their dishes live, with Queen of All Media Kris Aquino and Kapamilya actor Richard Gomez sitting as judges to help them decide who among the country’s best home cooks is the most deserving to win the title.

With months of training in the MasterChef kitchen, the Final Four cooks have not only acquired new culinary skills but also confidence to succeed for themselves and their families.

“I can say that my determination and love for cooking have nurtured me to become a better cook. I’m not a perfectly skilled and knowledgeable cook but I have the biggest heart among all the contenders in the show,” said JR, the Rakistang Kusinero of Benguet.

If ever he wins the one million cash prize, JR says a big portion of the prize money will go to his family. “I want to secure the financial side of my family so I could also prepare for my future as well,” says JR who is getting married to his girlfriend with whom he has a child. “I have this confidence na kaya ko naman punan ang pangangailangan namin and gusto ko lang ma-secure ang future din ng parents ko.”

JR is the lone male contender in MasterChef so how does he view his chances competing with the three ladies?

“Among the male chefs who competed, I can say that I was blessed. Maybe there is something in store for me while I am the only male contender remaining in the contest. And even if they are ladies, I won’t say they have an advantage and I also won’t say they are a threat since from the start of this contest, I have been competing with myself. I don’t see them as kalaban ko sa titulo but I see them as companions in this journey in a sense, ayokong magkaroon ng negative thinking about them. When you are in a contest, you tend to think that way but ako, I believe that I am competing with myself. That is my motivation to excel.”

JR would not want to think it as an advantage being the only male chef finalist but while he recognizes that the female chefs have the motherly touch, he has the fatherly touch since he has a two-year-old son with his girlfriend.

“Brusko ako pero mahinahon, banayad and siguro pagdating sa pagluluto ay masarap. Kasi ‘yung warmth ng passion na ibinibigay ko, somehow is transformed sa pagluluto ko. Being a member of a band, very passionate ako and very head on ang approach ko sa mga bagay-bagay. I think what compensates for the motherly love which I don’t have is my fatherly concern.

“Pag babae ay magaling magluto, she’s very in touch with her motherly side. Pag lalaki naman, very passionate naman siya sa ginagawa niya. If we tend to look it that way, I guess being male has some sort of advantage. I guess the advantage would be kasi puwedeng rugged ang lalaki, kahit saan puwede mo ilagay,” explains JR.

Does he feel pressured because he is the only one male contender left? “There is added pressure because parang mataas ang expectations nila sa akin kasi nakikita nila na may kakaiba sa akin compared sa iba kong kasamahan na lalaki kaya ako lang natira. But at the same time, it’s comforting to know that the level of my cooking ay puwedeng pumantay sa level ng mga kababaihan natin,” said JR.

Does he feel  he is going to win in the finals? “With full confidence, I am saying, kahit na sabihin ninyong may konting yabang, yes I believe I can win the title. We don’t know what is going to happen until we set foot on the stage. But from the start, what I think of the title Master Chef is a big responsibility. I know deep in my heart, in my flesh and in every drop of blood flowing in veins, that I can take on the responsibility of being the first Master Chef. Ikaw ang magiging pamantayan and talagang magiging mataas ang tingin ng tao sa iyo. You have to meet the expectations of the people. Hindi rin biro na you would stand out among the thousands who auditioned. Kaya naman confident ako kasi kaya kong gampanan ang galing, ‘yung puso, ‘yung dedication. So wish me luck.”

The first ever Pinoy MasterChef will win P1 million from Clara Oil, a kitchen showcase from Whirlpool, and a Diploma Program for Professional Culinary Arts scholarship at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies.

The second, third, and fourth placers will win P500,000, P300,000, and P200,000 respectively. They will each get a kitchen package from Fujidenzo and a scholarship at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies.

Don’t miss the “MasterChef Pinoy Edition: The Live Cook-off” this Saturday (Feb 9), 10 AM, live on ABS-CBN and the remaining days of Masterchef Pinoy Edition, 10:15AM before Minute to Win It.