Ángela wins MasterChef with a tribute to Valencian cuisine
Ángela has become the twelfth winner of MasterChef, inspired by a Valencian dish to win the final. The grand final, held this Monday, began with an atmosphere full of nerves and expectations. The finalists, Ángela, Gonzalo, Samya and María, faced three decisive tests. The first was the traditional “follow the chef” challenge, in which the contestants had to follow the rhythm and orders of the guest chef, Jesús Sánchez (3 Soles Repsol). In this test, María achieved the best preparation and secured her place in the final duel.
The road to the final
ABaC outdoor test
Samya, Gonzalo and Ángela played for second place in the final outdoor test, which took place at ABaC, the restaurant of judge Jordi Cruz. The finalists had to prepare two dishes from Cruz’s menu for twelve of the best sommeliers in Catalonia. Despite several complications, such as Samya’s incident that almost burned a dish and the kitchen, Ángela achieved the best elaboration and got the much coveted pass to the final.
Ángela’s winning menu is a tribute to her Valencian origins.
The most decisive moment of the night came when María and Ángela faced a final challenge: to prepare a tasting menu made up of three dishes that would demonstrate everything they had learned during the two months of the program.
The menu
The Starter: ‘Perfumadita de Brea’Ángela’s menu was a tribute to her Valencian origins and her passion for culinary innovation. The starter, baptized ‘Perfumadita de brea’, was dedicated to her mother and she cooked it with squid roe with seaweed marinade, smoked butter beurre blanc, squid dashi and crispy and air of placton. Jordi Cruz commented: “It is a profound dish, with deep intentions, that speaks a lot about you, that is perfectly executed and singular. I don’t know if it is for everyone, but I think it has a lot of merit”.
The Main: ‘Albufera in Sequence’The main dish, ‘Albufera in Sequence’, was dedicated to his father, who passed on to him the love for his origins, his land and the importance of family unity. This dish consisted of two passes: the first reinterpreted the traditional ‘All i pebre’ with black garlic bread and eel with paprika butter; the second united the typical bird of the area with the eel: roasted barberian duck with creamy kohlrabi, beet demi-glace and a foie, eel and cherry bonbon.
The Dessert: A Tribute to AmandaFinally, Angela paid tribute to her partner Amanda with a dessert that evoked her perfume: bitter orange ice cream, orange blossom water gel, rhubarb jelly, saffron crumble, tonga bean and almond cream, and flower meringue.
Recognition and awards
After tasting these dishes, Pepe proclaimed Ángela as the grand winner of the contest. The 29-year-old publicist, who gave her all in each program, has won not only the program’s trophy and prestige, but also a prize of 100,000 euros in cash and the opportunity to publish a recipe book.
Training at the Basque Culinary Center
The first three winners will receive training at the Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastian. Ángela will take a master’s degree in Cuisine: Technique, Product and Creativity; María, a master’s degree in Restaurant Pastry and Sweet Cuisine; and Gonzalo, an eight-week specialization course.
Ángela won MasterChef thanks to her ability to integrate her Valencian roots into her cooking and her passion for culinary innovation. This achievement not only brings her recognition and prestige, but also valuable opportunities for further development in the culinary world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was Angela’s inspiration for winning the MasterChef final?
Ángela was inspired by Valencian cuisine and her passion for culinary innovation. Her winning menu included tributes to her mother, father and partner, with dishes that evoked her roots and creativity.
2. What was the prize Ángela received when she won MasterChef?
Ángela received a prize of 100,000 euros in cash, the opportunity to publish a recipe book and a master’s degree in Cuisine: Technique, Product and Creativity at the Basque Culinary Center.
3. How were the MasterChef finalists decided?
The finalists were decided through three tests: a “follow the chef” challenge with Jesús Sánchez, an outdoor test at Jordi Cruz’s ABaC restaurant, and the preparation of a three-course tasting menu in the final.
