In an Exclusive Interview, Jake Kelley Reveals How Calculated Risks, Modern Mexican Cuisine, and Growing Confidence Led to His MasterChef Victory
After highs and lows throughout the season, MasterChef: Global Gauntlet winner Jake Kelley impressed the judges with a near-perfect finale meal. A love letter to modern Mexican cuisine and a celebration of smart execution, the home cook looked more like a professional chef. Reflecting on his journey, Jake is ready to take his culinary career to the next level.
From the Mexican chocolate cake that earned him an apron to the corn profiteroles and mushroom ice cream in the finale, Jake never took the easy path to victory. Although some of his plates seemed overly complicated, the judges appreciated his creativity. As Joe Bastianich commented in the finale, Jake's food makes people think, question, and step into the uncomfortable. Those sentiments are a great accomplishment for a chef.
Recently, I had an opportunity to chat with Jake about his impressive MasterChef win. When asked about some of the gambles he chose, like making a dessert in the audition, Jake pleaded ignorance in part. Although he did not realize how hard it would be, the reality is that he chose a calculated risk.
At the end of the day, I think because I was always putting flavor first, I never put something in front of them that they couldn't eat.
Specifically, Jake mentioned that he broke each element into components, calculated how long each element would take, and took advantage of all the equipment. That ability to multitask served him well.
As the competition progressed, Jake found his groove. Occasionally, the judges worried that his dishes had too many components. Jake mentioned that he did not have a clear game plan, nor had he tried those dishes previously. Cooking in the moment led to some ideas that clearly needed an edit. Luckily, his ability to work quickly helped to keep him on track.
The season's biggest turning point was Jake's win in the Restaurant Takeover challenge. After winning that challenge, Jake shared that he felt strong in the Keeping Up with Gordon (Ramsay) challenge. Specifically, he said, "I think that confidence building has been a really big part of where my journey's come." As he learned to trust his instincts, Jake's ability to execute chef-quality dishes became evident.
In the finale, Jake had the most cohesive three-course meal. While everyone is still curious about his dessert, he feels that the appetizer round best represents his signature style. Jake succeeded in combining thematic elements with superb flavors. He said that this appetizer was his "most thoughtful dish."
Specifically, Jake said that the dish had a lot of variety and interplay. "Every flavor had a place on the palate and conceptually. I wanted this idea of sea monsters and mystery."
From the octopus to the salsa rojo, the dish had a strong visual component. More importantly, the flavors built on authentic Mexican storytelling. From mezcal flambé on the shrimp to the cold smoke finish, it brought the flavor and the mystery. Overall, it was a plate that showed his intention and set a high bar in the opening round.
Even though Jake had a plan, he accepted and celebrated taking risks in the finale. That ambitious menu used specific techniques to help him accomplish each dish. For example, the liquid nitrogen created a luscious ice cream texture, and it allowed him to infuse more flavor into the crème anglaise base. He thought about the eating experience and let science simplify the process.
While the judges held his fate in their hands, Jake never lost sight of his true goal, putting himself on the plate. He commented, "At the end of the day, I think because I was always putting flavor first, I never put something in front of them that they couldn't eat." It is another example of his confidence that grew throughout the season.
Although Mexican culture and heritage were abundantly clear in his finale meal, Jake had a bigger story on the plate. Specifically, he mentioned that every dish honored both his culture and his Michigan home. From corn to blueberries, all the ingredients had ties to both locales.
Jake shared, "Finding commonalities between Michigan and Mexican ingredients is one of those ways that I really tried to honor myself and my connections to both and how important they are to me." In the end, he put his heart on the plate, and it earned him the win.
With the MasterChef: Global Gauntlet title on his resume, Jake looks to jump-start his professional culinary career. Currently, he is working at a restaurant in Detroit and is looking for a mentor. He appreciates the doors that opened because of this experience.
What advice would he give anyone who wants to pursue their own MasterChef dream? Jake encourages everyone to "have the confidence to explore it." Anyone who has a passion for cooking should pursue it to the fullest.
Jake Kelley is the MasterChef: Global Gauntlet champion. He has one accolade in his culinary career, and his future looks bright. Hopefully, Jake will continue to champion modern Mexican cuisine.
Want to catch up on this MasterChef season? All episodes can be streamed on Hulu.
ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER
