On the opening night of MasterChef Argentina 2023 (Telefe, at 21:30), the cooking reality show hosted by Wanda Nara this season, the jury members -Donato De Santis, Damián Betular and Germán Martitegui- burst into tears when they welcomed him back to a 20-year-old from Salta.

As is known, in this first phase of the program, 53 candidates are presented to stay in the competition, the judges evaluate the dishes that each of them makes according to their choice. By virtue of the result, they decide whether or not the applicant deserves to move on to the next stage where 24 people will remain. Only 16 of them will enter as participants in the reality show.

Yesterday, Monday, at the debut of the cycle, when it was time to try what Antonio López had cooked and give him his verdict, Donato De Santis started crying. Even his two fellow jurors couldn’t help but cry.

This was told by the young man from Salta who moved them so much with his recipe and his life story Studied professional nursing at the Red Cross Institute. Furthermore, she underlined that she has had a passion for cooking since she was a child, thanks to her grandparents. “They taught me to follow this path, because there was always something to do at the table,” she said.

“I want to join MasterChef because it’s my dream – he added in his presentation video-. I always watched the show and always wanted to be there. I’m one step away from making it and I practice a lot, I study a lot being in the kitchens. I want the jury to get to know my flavours, my land, my dishes. I hope I can surprise you.”

Put to cook, he chose to prepare the savory humita with sautéed vegetables in a sweet and spicy honey sauce, goat cheese and cayenne pepper.

“When the tenders were opened it was the happiest day of my life, I have been waiting for this opportunity since 2015”, he confided to the jury.

Damián Betular wanted to know what Antonio’s family thought of his participation in the cooking reality show. “It’s the first time I’ve been this far from home and my family is a little scared“, replied the man from Salta. And he added: “But they supported me at all times and told me to come and make my dream come true”.

Donato De Santis: “It’s been my whole life”

Betular and Martitegui were the first to taste what Antonio had prepared. Donato, in turn, was so moved that, after the tasting, he started crying.

“My whole life has passed me by he said to the cook. I see you with your age, your enthusiasm… Everything comes… Plus, it’s delicious. He talks about you and your land ”. And, of course, he said yes to joining the reality show. Betular did the same, underlining how Antonio has one more quality: passion.

The young man from Salta couldn’t help but cry for the compliment he was receiving from the prestigious chefs.

When he left, Wanda Nara was waiting for him with a video call from his family, who could not travel from Salta to accompany him. “All I want to do here is make my mom proud and represent my city well. Now, to go ahead and continue” Antonio said, moved.