Christine Hà is back to visit her old stomping ground as she returns as a guest judge on the hit show “MasterChef.” Hà, who famously won the competition in 2012, has returned several times over the years as a guest judge, but this time things are a little different. Now Hà is judging her fellow Gen Xers to decide who will move on to represent their generation in the new season of “MasterChef: Generations.”
We got the chance to speak with Hà in an exclusive interview about the often-forgotten Gen X and why she feels that this middle generation, with their knowledge of cookbooks and technology, is poised to win the competition this year. Coming from a former winner, that should not be taken lightly. Hà also spoke about her friendship with fellow “MasterChef” judge chef Gordon Ramsay, as well as how she elevates simple home dishes to make them restaurant quality.
What was it like coming back to MasterChef this time as a judge?
It hasn’t been my first time coming back as a judge. I tend to come back every couple seasons, but it’s always great to be reunited with the judges. Like, Gordon is still there and he’s always been my favorite judge. It’s a different experience when you’re on the other side where you actually get to see the workings of their minds when you discuss the dishes together with them. It’s a really fun experience. I’m thankful, too, that I know what it’s like to be on the contestant side because I know that pressure and how stressful that can be. I like to also play a mentorship role to them.
You mentioned your relationship with Gordon Ramsay, who always comes off as the big scary person. Can you tell me more about that relationship? He did an introduction in one of your cookbooks and you seem to have a really good working relationship with him.
Yeah, I always say, Gordon, he is one of the most charismatic people I’ve ever met. And very honest. You definitely have to have thick skin, but that’s kind of just how it is in the culinary world. People don’t. When you’re running a busy restaurant kitchen serving many diners, you don’t really have the time to pamper things. I understand that, and I don’t take things too personally. I think he gives very good constructive criticism.
On MasterChef, particularly, I think he has a different side of him, a softer side of him that shows, because he understands that MasterChef is a show for amateur home cooks. We are not professional culinary chefs who’ve gone to culinary school. We haven’t had that formal training. He understands that. I think his nurturing side comes out more on MasterChef. I always appreciate what Gordon has to say. He’s hilarious, he’s funny, he’s honest, and just very charismatic.
Finally, what generation do you think is going to take home the trophy this season?
Like I said, I think our strength is that we have a lot of the real life experience. I myself have been cooking in a kitchen with my own two hands for a couple decades, and I’m on the younger end of Gen X. I feel like Gen X has a lot of real life experience.
We have the ability to travel the world and try all the foods, but at the same time, we know how to use [the] internet. If there’s an ingredient we’re trying to learn about, or a new technique, we can easily search for that and teach ourselves from online. To refine the skills that we’ve already done in the kitchen ourselves. I think we play to the strengths of all of the generations.
