Christina Tosi Chats About "Masterchef" & Milk Bar

Summary

In this engaging transcript, renowned pastry chef and MasterChef judge, Christina Tosi, shares insights into the competitive world of home cooking. She discusses the journey of amateur chefs on MasterChef, her own culinary experiences, and the philosophy behind her popular bakery, Milk Bar. Tosi emphasizes the importance of creativity, innovation, and community in her business, while also highlighting her commitment to giving back through charity partnerships and the impact of her new book on redefining cakes.

Takeaways

• 🍳 MasterChef Season 8 is not quite halfway through, featuring 40 talented home cooks competing for the title of MasterChef.
• 🏆 The contestants face various challenges, including cooking at 5-star restaurants and creating dishes for the 50th anniversary of Caesars Palace.
• 👩‍🍳 The judging panel consists of culinary legend Gordon Ramsay, renowned pastry chef Christina Tosi, and award-winning chef Aaron Sanchez.
• 🍴 An episode highlight includes a dinner prepared by home cooks for a dining room full of food purveyors, emphasizing the importance of quality ingredients.
• 🍰 Christina Tosi's pastry shop, Milk Bar, is celebrating its 9th anniversary and has grown to 12 stores with worldwide shipping and baking mixes in Target.
• 🛍️ Christina aims to take Milk Bar on the road and continue to innovate, emphasizing the importance of creating jobs and fostering a culture of diversity and creativity.
• 🍪 The menu at Milk Bar changes every quarter, with new offerings like a spinach artichoke bomb and a cheeseburger bomb, alongside classic favorites.
• 🍰 Christina's third book, focused on cakes, is set to release in Fall 2018, showcasing a variety of cake recipes and the evolution of cake design and flavor.
• 👶 The 'do good feel good' food line at Milk Bar gives back to different charity partners, reflecting Christina's commitment to community and philanthropy.
• 📈 Christina discusses the balance of creativity and business acumen in running Milk Bar, highlighting the importance of innovation and obsession with quality.
• 🌟 On MasterChef, the judges look for passion, culinary skill, potential, and the ability to be a great student, rather than expecting contestants to know everything.

Q & A

What is the premise of the MasterChef competition?

MasterChef is a competition where thousands of home cooks compete to be recognized as a master chef. The top 40 contestants are brought into the MasterChef kitchen to compete for a white apron and prove themselves through various culinary challenges.

Who are the judges on MasterChef season 8?

The judges for MasterChef season 8 are culinary legend Gordon Ramsay, renowned pastry chef Christina Tosi, and award-winning chef and restaurateur Aaron Sanchez.

What is the significance of the episode mentioned in the script?

The episode mentioned in the script is significant because it focuses on the home cooks preparing a dinner for the MasterChef dining room filled with food purveyors. This allows the contestants to understand the nuances of quality products and how to best prepare and showcase them.

What is the 'pastry pressure test' referred to in the script?

The 'pastry pressure test' is a challenge in MasterChef where contestants are tested on their pastry-making skills, specifically making cannoli, which is described as a simple yet difficult pastry to execute perfectly.

What is the connection between Christina Tosi and the Remini Brothers?

Christina Tosi mentions the Remini Brothers and their cannoli from the Reading Terminal Market, which is a historic place she grew up with and considers the cannoli as the ultimate treat for her.

What is the significance of the number 9 in the context of Milk Bar?

The number 9 is significant because it marks the anniversary of Milk Bar, Christina Tosi's bakery. She discusses her goals and accomplishments in the nine years since opening and her plans for the upcoming decade.

What is Christina Tosi's vision for the future of Milk Bar?

Christina Tosi's vision for the future of Milk Bar includes taking the brand on the road, continuing to innovate and create new recipes, and growing the business while maintaining a strong sense of community and providing jobs with excellent benefits.

What is the 'do good feel good food' line at Milk Bar?

The 'do good feel good food' line at Milk Bar is a series of gluten-free products where each element gives back to a different charity partner. The line is designed to be both delicious and contribute to social good.

What is the process for creating new menu items at Milk Bar?

The process for creating new menu items at Milk Bar involves an R&D team constantly vetting ideas and testing them until they are obsessed with the item. The item must resonate with the team and fit within the brand's spirit of simplicity and nostalgia.

What qualities does Christina Tosi look for in contestants on MasterChef?

Christina Tosi looks for contestants on MasterChef who show passion, a certain level of culinary skill, potential, and most importantly, the qualities of a great student who is humble, eager to learn, and open to mentorship.

Who were Christina Tosi's culinary idols growing up?

Christina Tosi's culinary idols growing up were her grandmothers, who she admired and wanted to be like. She did not have many professional chef idols until she moved to New York and attended culinary school.