Qualified to cook

As cameras rolled, Danielle Cardozo triumphed over nerves, panic, and an unco-operative frying pan

by Marie Milner — January 28, 2014

Close-up of a young woman in a black chef's jacket, with her right hand on a swing door at the kitchen entrance.

Danielle Cardozo is a contestant in the first MasterChef Canada competition. — Marie Milner photo

After catching the merest glimpses of her on the first episode of MasterChef Canada, viewers at home and packing The Heid Out Restaurant & Brew House in Cranbrook were treated to lots of footage featuring Danielle Cardozo on the second show. Either this girl is a natural on camera or she didn’t have time to think about being nervous.

Cardozo admitted to being very nervous indeed when the judges approached her cooking station, and her composure was certainly shaken when the chicken dish she was preparing threatened to fall apart in the pan. We watched as she was almost overcome by despair and panic, and as she refused—by the narrowest margin—to give in.

Her determination paid off. Cardozo was selected to be one of the top 16 home chefs who will compete for a prize of $100,000 and the MasterChef Canada title. Well done, Danielle!

Every Tuesday morning during the competition, we'll be posting updates.