There are four generations of people appearing on MasterChef this season, including two generations of your family – what was it like judging the episode alongside your son, Joe?
Well, I think the idea of four generations is great because it really shows how different generations think, taste, remember recipes, etc. I've worked with his son Joe, we've worked together in the kitchen before. So we have differences and I think he understands and remembers the tastes of his upbringing and my generation and my mother's and grandmother's generations. And he also adds his own newness to it. It's great to collaborate with him, understanding that there are differences and that within those differences, each has their own space, and we give each other space.
What differences do you see between generations?
Admittedly, I've only judged the older generation, my generation. So I've only judged the baby boomers, not the younger generations, but I've met them. I've seen them and I've seen some of the ideas that they came up with. I think that in my generation, growing up so close to the war at the time, we had enough food, and we realized that we had the innovations to grow into the future.
What I noticed is that my generation tried mashed potatoes with sour cream, pork chops, breaded pork chops, these are the same as my generation today. The new generation doesn't eat mashed potatoes at all. They like breaded stuff, but they don't bake it or fri it.
I think their food, even though they were trying to appear innovative, was still very much what I remember and what my generation, the baby boomers, had. One dish was pork chops with jalapeño sauce. Maybe it's because of where they're from. There are little differences like that. But I think the younger generation is a lot more romantic and a lot more inclusive of different ethnicities, whereas my generation is more rooted in where we come from and where we live.
