Can a Clear Lake cook become the ‘MasterChef’?

(Above) Cassie Peterson, a 2008 Clear Lake High School graduate, auditioned and was selected for the MasterChef show.

Her journey begins on FOX tonight

by Marianne Morf

Can a girl from Clear Lake, Iowa become the country’s next “MasterChef?” You’ll have to tune in tonight (Wednesday, June 1) to find out.

Cassie Peterson, of Clear Lake, auditioned for the popular FOX television show in August 2015.  Much to her surprise, the chicken wings she presented to judges were such a hit, she was invited to travel to Los Angeles, Calif., to continue the audition process.

“Thousands and thousands tried out— and I thought there is no way all these people from everywhere, competing for the same thing, would get along.  But we became the best of friends.  We all share a love of cooking.”

Peterson said she is a long-time fan of the show— especially judges Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi.  She ranks Ramsey, an internationally renown restaurateur and chef, as the best of the best.  Tosi is founder and owner of Milk Bar in New York City, whose specialty is bakery goods.

Peterson said she was probably most nervous about in-

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teracting with Tosi, since her own start in commercial cooking was as owner/operator of The Cupcake Store in Mason City.  She later moved her business into a Hy-Vee store.

“I’m a foodie and I have sort of a ‘Culinary Bucket List.’  One item was a bakery; another was try out for a cooking show.  I really thought that was unattainable,” she said.   “I really wanted to get rid of the label of just being ‘the cupcake lady’ and that was my incentive to audition (for MasterChef).”

Peterson said she considers herself to be a better cook than a baker.  Prior to her participation in the MasterChef competition, she gave herself a break from baking and has been working as a personal chef, customizing menus, hosting dinner parties and teaching classes.

She said her approach to cooking is “taking something simple and making it gourmet.

“I’ve titled it ‘Gourmazing,’” she shared.

Peterson said she relishes her Iowa roots and shared some of her Iowa pride on the show.

“We have some great mom and pop restaurants in the area and I feel like I am always learning.  I have always loved to cook and been pretty good at it.  I like to find new ways to use fresh flavors.”

She described her favorite type of cooking as grilling— everything from cuts of meat to pizza and desserts.

“Almost anything can be made on a grill.  People don’t think it can be gourmet, but it can.”

Peterson said the MasterChef competition pushed her to a new level and she thoroughly enjoyed the test.

“Every challenge is different and you never know what you will be working with— maybe a mystery box challenge.  It’s up to them to decide what you’ll use.  You have to go in with the knowledge in your brain and the drive to succeed.”

Peterson will be celebrating her 26th birthday as she watches the show’s premiere June 1 with family and friends.

“It’s been a big waiting game (since auditioning) and all of a sudden it’s here.  Everyone will have to tune in and watch 40 contestants battle for 20 MasterChef white aprons.  It’s a pretty intense episode.”

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