MasterChef Season 15 Winner Nancy Topko Discusses Support from Judges and Culinary School Experience in London

Nancy Topko, the champion of the 15th season of the beloved culinary competition MasterChef, recently sat down for an interview with the YouTube channel Natalia Tomash | London Stories. In this engaging conversation, she opened up about her experiences living in London, her studies at the prestigious culinary school Le Cordon Bleu, and her ongoing connections with the judges of the show. Throughout the interview, Nancy reflected on how her time on MasterChef has significantly influenced her culinary education and how she maintains a supportive relationship with the judges, particularly Hector Jimenez-Bravo.

During her day in London with the host, Nancy discussed her typical daily routine, the intricacies of her culinary school training, and the profound impact that her participation in MasterChef has had on her career trajectory. She revealed that she did not have to pay for the foundational course at Le Cordon Bleu, and she received a discount on the Intermediate course, which focuses on working with game and seafood, due to her distinction as the top student in the basic program. Nancy emphasized that her experience on MasterChef has been invaluable in enhancing her culinary skills.

“On MasterChef, the ratio of cooking to showmanship is about 60 to 40. Many of the competition conditions you will never encounter in a professional kitchen. But did it prepare me for culinary school? Definitely yes. The timing, organization, even the thought process of what to serve, when, and how. And the advice from Hector, Vova, and Olya has been incredibly helpful to me here. This is probably my only privilege as a student that helps me secure top positions,” Nancy shared her insights.

When asked about her communication with the MasterChef team and judges, Nancy admitted that she stays in touch with Hector Jimenez-Bravo. “Regarding the judges… Well, I know that everyone hates me and Hector, but yes, it’s true – we are currently in contact. Because everyone thinks that Hector kind of 'pulled' me to victory. But we started communicating after the season because he supported me during all the hate. He is often the first person to know about my achievements. I immediately send him a message on Telegram,” Nancy recounted.

Additionally, Nancy revealed that she participated in the new 17th season of the show as a guest chef, where she conducted a masterclass for the contestants, which viewers will soon see. She confessed that she was initially very nervous during the filming but eventually managed to calm down and enjoy the process.

The full interview with Nancy Topko can be viewed on the YouTube channel Natalia Tomash. She continues to actively develop her culinary career, and her story serves as an inspiration for many young chefs aspiring to succeed in the industry.