Food Network Chef Gordon Ramsey’s television persona is intimidating to rookie chefs in the kitchen. But Tanorria Askew says cooking under his watchful eyes was “delightful.”
“He’s so passionate about food that, when you are in the kitchen with him, you want to do your best. It’s kind of magical to have that happen,” says Askew.
Askew, who was born in Chattanooga in 1981, is one of 40 home cooks who auditioned and made it onto Season 7 of Fox’s cooking competition, “MasterChef,” whose new season debuts Wednesday at 8 p.m. These 40 go head-to-head with other semifinalists in a cooking challenge to win one of the show’s coveted white aprons.
Cooks who win a white apron advance to finalist status, then compete in more difficult food challenges. This season they will cook appetizers and entrees for the wedding of a previous “MasterChef” contestant, cook steaks for 100 veterans and make food for a Sweet 16 party.
Season 7 contestants represent 15 states from across the country. Askew was raised in Indianapolis, where she is now a credit union coordinator. The 34-year-old keeps an online blog called “Tanorria’s Table” and leads her church’s hospitality team.