Kitchen Kombat - MasterChef Pre-Application

Uh...oh... it's time for Kitchen Kombat!!!!




While not as cool as the uniforms of Kobra Kai, I gotta look good representing the Cooking-Dojo!
[Note: When I can think of an appropriate Khallenge to "Test Your Might," there will be a chance to win one!  The Cooking-Dojo t-shirt is made of "dry-fit" material so you'll maintain your cool to look good while kicking butt!]

So here are some of my responses to the pre-application!  I also filmed my audition tape.  However, I think it'll be better to travel and battle at an open casting call.  It's still TBD so I am hopeful that Philly or DC will be a location; otherwise, I will travel to a city where I can borrow a friend's kitchen!

Tell Us About The First Moment You Fell In Love With Food.  

Growing up, my family was not well off so I remembering eating food as "fuel" (Kudos to mom for keeping us fed!) so my taste palette was not very developed! However, I recall trying sushi for the first time on a first date (Hey, I'm a risk-taker!) while things didn't work out with the girl and sushi was "unique" at first, I must say that I'm now addicted to sushi's unique taste and texture! 

 

If We Came Over To Your House For Dinner, What Would You Cook For Us? 

Well, my name is pronounced "Quin" and my nickname is "Q" so I'll readily admit that my ego has an affinity for the letter "Q." As such, I'd make Mushroom Quinoa and Quail topped with Cardamom Mangoes for you. Quinoa has been called a supergrain so it contributes to a healthier lifestyle and quails definitely help with portion size! Let me know when you want to come over! Just bring the wine! 

 

Secret Cooking-Jitsu:  I can't reveal the secret herbs and seasonings!

 

What Is The Toughest Obstacle You've Ever Had To Overcome? 

Working on an engineering PhD is hard enough, but when it was my dad's last request, it definitely ups the stakes. In a month span, my dad passed away and my friend died from ovarian cancer. Both were unexpected. Furthermore, it was draining because I was failing out of school and I wanted to quit school to take care of my mom. The important part was that I got back up, transferred to another school, and got my PhD at 27! Regardless, my achievement pales in comparison to my mom!  She was pregnant with me while escaping Vietnam (while dodging bullets) as a war refugee to the United States! Mom is a cook now and I want to make her proud by competing and winning MasterChef! 

 

What Are Your Feelings About Chef Gordon Ramsay? As I am a huge fan of Hell's Kitchen, Chef Ramsay is another reason why I want to compete in MasterChef. He's akin to a drill sergeant. I'll probably hate him during "boot camp" but his tough love training will see me through the proverbial "frying pan" of the kitchen and other challenges in life! 

 

In A Paragraph or Less, Please Tell Us Why You Think You Have What It Takes To Become The Next MasterChef? 

No one in this competition will have more intestinal fortitude, quick-thinking, and derring-do than me! At 5'3" I'm likely to be one of your smallest competitors! My size did not stop me from successfully competing amongst the "trees" in volleyball and eventually becoming a coach! As an example of my wit and boldness, I remember asking out a girl who was 6' tall. She said, "How would you reach the cookie jar on the top shelf for me?"  I replied, "Hey, I'm a smart guy. I know how to use a ladder especially when rescuing kittens out of trees." (Note: I did get the date!) In the culinary arts, height or weight doesn't matter and it's ultimately a battle between myself and the ingredients -  there are no excuses for poor-tasting food! Most importantly, the goal of cooking is to make food that makes people happy and I aim to please! In all aspects of life, I always compete like a champion! Thank you for reading!