Haim Cohen, former "MasterChef" contestant, back in the kitchen: "People were surprised. Few knew I was here"
Haim Cohen, the contestant and not the chef, has returned to "MasterChef" five years after his last time - and this time he wants to win. After studying pastry, gaining experience in professional kitchens, and getting married, he tells in an interview about his desire to correct the impression of the "weird food" he cooked in the past, admits he is very competitive - and points out the contestant he was most looking forward to meeting: "I grew up on her."
Haim Cohen has returned to "MasterChef". And yes, it is likely that every time the name of the contestant who reached eighth place in the ninth season of the show comes up, confusion will immediately follow with Haim Cohen the chef who judges the show in most of its seasons.
"I received the call from the production and the first thing I said was 'I'm coming. I love a challenge'," he says in an interview with +12 (new episode tonight, Channel 12).
"I think there is a challenge here that I haven't solved yet, and well, they gave me another chance, so why not? It's an experience. I think I'm coming to this season much more prepared from a culinary perspective. I went through five years of learning in kitchens. I think I'm coming much more ready for this, and I gave myself a certain direction," he continued. "In the season I participated in, I cooked mostly weird food. Really, today when I look back it was weird food. Today I want to cook tasty food. I think that weird, as long as it's tasty then it works, but weird in itself without it being very, very tasty and reasoned, has no reason."
What have you done in the last five years? "I got married, studied pastry, did an internship in Paris. I am a manager and chef of a kitchen at a high-tech company. Everything has changed since 'MasterChef'."
How did family and friends react to the return to the show? "Very few people know that I returned, just to make the surprise at the end. This is an opportunity that was given to us, and I came to have fun, so let's have fun to the end. Only a few people know that I am here, and I think the whole fun will be that they will see me on TV."
Are you competitive? "I am a competitive person, how do they say? Disgustingly competitive. When I don't win, I take it very personally, and I hope that these sides won't be seen in my competition at least."
Although Cohen the contestant testifies that he is very competitive, he will not hesitate for a moment if required to help a friend in the competition. "I don't think helping someone else detracts from me in any way. I need to be good on my own, and if along the way I help another person, I won twice. It's not worth a win or success if along the way you do it in an ugly way or hurt someone. If you succeed, then only in a straight way, and everyone who needs it will receive help with joy."
Are there contestants you are afraid to compete against? "The truth is that I came to this season with a lot of desire to have fun and get to know the people, and they are stunning people. I am most excited about Eden Harel, because it's uncomfortable to say, but I grew up on her, and by her I am more excited, less afraid."
