Reinventing Life at 53: An Escoffier Student’s Journey to MasterChef

The Ultimate Dish

In today’s episode, we chat with Daniela Peregrina, a 53-year-old plant-based culinary student at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.

Daniela proves that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. A lifelong teacher, she shares how her love for culture, cuisine, and travel inspired her to pivot to a new career and take on the challenge of competing on MasterChef Generations. After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, Daniela embraced a plant-based lifestyle, which not only helped her manage her condition but also deepened her connection with food. By working with plant-based ingredients, she honors her roots while creating innovative dishes that are uniquely her own.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about the MasterChef audition process, overcoming the fears of switching careers, and setting future goals with a tape measure.

פרקים

1. Reinventing Life at 53: An Escoffier Student’s Journey to MasterChef (00:00:00)

2. The Three Aprons (00:03:04)

3. A Place in the Theater (00:06:39)

4. An International Upbringing (00:09:51)

5. From Theater to Teaching (00:15:45)

6. Trying New Things (00:19:15)

7. The MasterChef Experience (00:22:32)

8. Ramen for Gordon Ramsay (00:27:51)

9. Hitting the Reset Button (00:31:06)

10. The Switch to Being Plant-Forward (00:33:43)

11. Learning at Escoffier - and from Kirk (00:38:24)

12. Becoming a Baker (00:41:42)

13. Daniela's Ruler (00:46:03)

14. Daniela Peregrina's Ultimate Dish (00:48:37)