Now ya’ll already know that I am a Foodie! Well, if loving to eat and cook a little counts, lol. So hear me when I say, that I was super excited to get the opportunity to interview 3 of the TOP 18 Contestants from the hit food competition show, MasterChef Season 9 on FOX.
So today I’m sharing my Interview with THE Gorgeous Chef Shanika, the female version of Gordon Ramsay, as she is noted for saying. I had a few minutes to chat with Shanika over the phone with a full house listening in, being joined with several members of the show’s production team.
I was both excited and nervous when the interview started but Shanika was so cool! She was both nice and polite. And had me cracking up when she was talking about her love for bacon! I LOVE her confidence, she is definitely a power house to be reckoned with. It was so fun to chat with her and to hear from her how she keeps it together on the show. Now on to the interview…
SHANIKA PATTERSON
Describe yourself in 5 words.
Strong. Bold. Fearless. Independent. And Empathetic.
She spoke a bit more on being empathetic. As she says that she may come off as strong but she does have a soft side, as it relates to people.
What’s your why? What Inspires you?
Overcoming the past. She says that after losing her Mom at a young age, she became a care taker of her little sister Robin. So she knew that she had to do better for her and for herself. So she kept going and became stronger and stronger.
What food could you never go without?
Pork. She says she loves bacon because it is so good! That she can eat it as a snack, lunch or dinner. And has even made a dessert with bacon.
Watching the show, it looks so intimidating. How do you keep it together?
A miracle, she says. She has to look in the mirror and say “you are strong”, “you are bold”. She says it is an amazing experience but very challenging.
What’s your signature dish?
Her ‘Bitter French Kiss’. It’s what won her an apron into the competition!
YAS, and if you missed this episode, you have to see just how beautiful this dish is and she says it tastes delicious too even if you aren’t a goat cheese lover.
What do you plan to do if you win that $250,000?
She plans to travel and pursue her culinary dream. Travel all over, tasting the cultures.
What else would you like for me to share with my audience?
Be sure to watch MasterChef this week! It is a rewind of the ‘World Cup Dishes’ episode but in Shanika’s own words, “that show was HOT”!
Follow Shanika on Instagram and Twitter to follow along with her on her journey on MasterChef Season 9!
About MasterChef
MasterChef kitchen first, the judges battle it out for season 9! Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, acclaimed chef Aarón Sánchez and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich will choose their favorite home cooks and mentor them through a series of challenging elimination rounds, in order to turn one home cook into a culinary master. The winner will claim the title of MasterChef and $250,000 grand prize.
Watch on Wednesdays at 8pm on FOX or anytime on FOXNOW or HULU.