Michele Rodriguez-Wise, co-owner and creative director of Cheltenham-based L鈥檜na Design, is one of only 40 contestants to make it through to the new series of Masterchef, which airs on BBC One this March 2021, out of the thousands who applied.
With a keen interest in restaurants, hotels and wine, Michele hopes Masterchef will allow her to share her passion for food with more than just her family.
Michele said: 鈥楳y daughter Elena texted me during lockdown last year and said 鈥淚t鈥檚 your last chance to apply for Masterchef, it鈥檚 your favourite program why don鈥檛 you apply? I dare you!鈥� And, after a couple of glasses of wine, I plucked up the courage and filled the application form in.
鈥楴ever for one minute did I imagine the journey it would take me on through the weeks and months. I had no idea that they received thousands of applicants each year and then to get the phone call 鈥� after many interviews and auditions 鈥� to say that I had been chosen as one of the final 40 to be on the show!
鈥業t was a totally surreal experience meeting John and Gregg who were incredibly lovely, funny, but tough! It鈥檚 a competition at the end of the day鈥� The most challenging and yet wonderful experience ever.鈥�
鈥楢s many people will know I spend my whole life in the kitchen: designing and creating beautiful kitchens and living spaces for my clients at Kitchens by L鈥檜na during the day; and in the evening I鈥檓 in 鈥榤y happy place鈥�, cooking and sharing my food with friends and family.鈥�
Masterchef series 17 starts on BBC One on Monday 1 March 2021 at 9pm, with Michele鈥檚 heat being shown on Thursday 11 March 2021.
We鈥檒l be cheering her on all the way!
