Sel for MasterChef: The Professionals S18 Heat 2 / BBC
Age: 35
Lives: With flatmates in Brighton, East Sussex. Originally from Guatemala
What is your background in the industry?
“I’m self-taught and largely did this through travelling at a young age – immersing myself in different cultures and cuisines, learning as much as I could wherever I went.
“At the start of my career, I worked in a place where they use to serve food to elite athletes that were training for the upcoming Olympics. Working here threw me in a world I didn’t know, here discipline was the centre of everything we did.
“Over the years I’ve worked in many wonderful places, and I’ve enjoyed all of them. Working in Los Angeles was amazing. The head chef, Gilberto Cetina Jr, was an inspiration to me, and this was the time I realised cooking was my passion and not just a job.
“Just before entering into this competition, I was working at The Fat Duck, starting there as a Chef de Partie was an unbelievable experience and taught me about cooking with precision like I’d never seen before.”
How would you describe your cooking style?
“My style draws inspiration from flavours, colours, textures, and cultures. Over the years, I’ve gathered a vast amount of knowledge and experience across different areas of the kitchen, and as I’ve grown more confident, I’ve become less afraid to experiment with style, colours, textures.
“At the core of my cooking, I combine classic French techniques with ancient Mayan influences to create bold dishes that can sometimes feel unconventional, but are always rooted in respect for ingredients.”
What are three ingredients you couldn’t live without?
“Butter, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs — I know it’s four, but I can’t live without them.”
Why did you take part in the show?
“Early on I was working in Los Angeles, when I came across the US version of MasterChef and since then it’s been a dream of mine to challenge myself at the highest level. And MasterChef: The Professionals is the ultimate challenge as a chef – a chance to push myself creatively and professionally and reinvent myself over and over again.
“I also wanted to showcase more of the food and culture from my home country in global phenomenon like MasterChef, and hopefully open new doors for future projects where I can continue telling that story through food.”
The new series of MasterChef: The Professionals is ongoing on BBC One and iPlayer.
