MasterChef crowned Claudia Sandoval its sixth-season champion during Wednesday night's finale broadcast of the Fox culinary competition for amateur home cooks.
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"In life, nothing is given, it is earned. With hard work, heart and fulfilling [your goals], everything is possible," Claudia tweeted (in Spanish) following her victory.
Claudia defeated runner-up Derrick Peltz, a 28-year-old drummer from Fort Myers, FL, after they were each required to cook a three-course dinner and execute it onto three identical plates to be tasted and critiqued by MasterChef judges Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot and Christina Tosi.
For the appetizer, Claudia created a tamale with Mexican truffles complete with cactus salsa, avocado crema and chicharron. Derrick whipped up a spiced pork belly with watermelon in three ways -- a sauce, a pickled rind and infused squares, Entertainment Weekly reported.
Claudia then created a swordfish dish with Mexican squash and chickpeas for her entree. Derrick reportedly countered with pan seared venison, root vegetables and a puff pastry.
Lastly, Claudia presented a hibiscus poached pear for dessert, according to EW, while Derrick had the judges try a sponge cake he made right in the microwave.
Before Claudia and Derrick competed head to head in the finals, Stephen Lee, a 47-year-old urban gardener from Palm Springs, CA, was still in the running.
Stephen finished the season in third place after getting eliminated in the final three-part pressure test. The three chefs had to execute a cheese souffle, steak frites and a panna cotta with raspberry coulis inside all within one hour of time. Claudia won the test.
Fox previously announced MasterChef's renewal for a seventh season. The show's popular spinoff MasterChef Junior will premiere November 6 on Fox.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
