Chef Claudia Sandoval, who won the 6th season of MasterChef in 2015, joins me for this first episode of 2023. She talks about growing up in San Diego, CA, where her mom and grandma taught her how to cook, and shares how she kept her family’s culture alive through food. We also discuss how her life’s journey led her to earning a spot on MasterChef and what it was like competing in front of Gordon Ramsay. Claudia also shares the joy she found in creating and publishing her first cookbook, Claudia’s Cocina, and gives insightful advice to people, especially those in the Latino community, who are struggling while chasing a dream that may seem impossible. "Food is romantic. Soul. It’s about putting everything in your heart onto the plate. Hoping it’s perceived well. Honestly, it’s about passion. It’s about love.” - Hillary Sterling Check out Claudia’s website here: http://chefclaudiasandoval.com/ Follow Claudia’s Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/chefclaudiasandoval/ Purchase Claudia’s cookbook here: https://www.amazon.com/Claudias-Cocina-Mexico-Winner-MasterChef/dp/1617691895 Watch Claudia on MasterChef here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQx6NkhVKHo Follow the podcast’s new Instagram page @eringlowpodcast here: https://www.instagram.com/eringlowpodcast/?hl=en Find out more about Erin Glow here: www.eringlow.com