MasterChef Season 9 on FOX, Meet Chef Ryan
As a self-proclaimed Foodie myself, among soooo many other things lol, I was stoked over the opportunity to chat with a few of the contestants from the hit food competition, MasterChef Season 9 on FOX. On tonight’s episode, the contestants are in for a Seafood Challenge plus an elimination. I can’t wait to see this one…last week had me like, oh LAWD!
Today, I’m sharing my chat with THE Musical Chef Ryan from Team Aaron, Top 17 Contestant in the running to becoming the next MasterChef.
Ya’ll Ryan is brimming with INSPO. I felt like I was writing a 100 miles per hour trying to keep up with everything that he was sharing lol. He is super talented musically as you will see as well as talented in the kitchen. He had a lot to say about never doubting yourself and not letting fear stand in your way. And being a creative myself, it is awesome and inspiring to hear how he has found a way to combine his love for Food with his love for Music.
Now read on to see what Ryan had to say about what keeps him so CHILL on the show and what inspires him, plus more!
RYAN CORTEZ
Tell us one (1) thing that others may not know about you.
He is also a Professional Musician. A Drummer that has traveled all over Europe, and has touched all continents except Asia, but it’s on his list. He feels that his travels with his music has helped to propel him into his Culinary knowledge. As well as the foundation that he learned and obtained from watching his Mommy and Granny “Big Mama”.
He’s played with the Hamilton Loomis Band, a Blues and Funk band out of Houston, TX. As well as a metal band, Kings Bounty out of Brooklyn NY. They have opened for some pretty well known Heavy Metal bands like Korn, Sevendust and POD.
And he’s actually moonlighting next month in Seattle.
What’s your why? What Inspires you?
Things around him. He mentioned some inspiring words that he heard from another Chef. That he noted has an incredible mind in and outside of the kitchen, she says “to look at things like a kid does”. With the same wonderment! And that really resonated with him as a musician and in the culinary world.
He shared inspiring words to never be scared to try anything. Failure or not. Have no fear! Never doubt yourself. He shared how he had the least culinary experience and had never even worked in a restaurant until now. Having toured for 17+ years as a drummer, he considered himself a Foodie. Going to top notch restaurants or while enjoying hospitality meals. Tasting while traveling tied it all together into his Culinary Career.
What food could you never go without?
Fish. And if he had to chose a particular kind, it would be Red Fish. You can literally do anything with it, he says. You can steam, broil or bake it. Fish is our ‘Seafood Culture’, he says, it is what he was raised on. So it excites him when he sees whole fish on the menu.
How often do you cook at home?
Since his professional Culinary career began, he says he rarely cooks at home. Working on someone else’s dishes can be a help and a hurt, as you may not have the time to work on your own ideas. But with his girlfriend and her son at home, he says that he will definitely be cooking more. As he says, it’s important to keep writing ideas and recipes. He urges everyone to stay positive, stay writing and being creative at home.
What are your Top 3 places to eat?
- Kulture. Where he currently works and describes it as an Avant Garde Southern Fare restaurant. Serving unique dishes like collard green purses.
- Del Frisco’s. Double Eagle Steakhouse in New York and Houston.
- Frank’s Pizza. In Houston.
You seem so cool, calm and collected on the show. What keeps you so chill?
Faith in God. And the way that I practiced at home, is the way I deliver on the show. It takes discipline. Just like he’s disciplined in music, he applied this to his culinary strategy.
What do you plan to do if you win that $250,000?
He has a great idea! He plans to open a restaurant, named after his Grandma, Deola. It will be a Southern Fare restaurant, dedicated to her love for Fish. Being from central Louisiana, that’s Creole versus Cajun…so there will be plenty of Spice!
Anything else you would like for my audience to know?
He says that Lovely You Blog is excellent! And mentions how important it is to support our blogs. (Ya’ll I totally agree!)
And he gives a Shout Out to the Endemol Shine Group!
Where can we follow you?
Be sure to cheer and follow Chef Ryan along his journey to becoming the next MasterChef on Instagram and Facebook!