Dara Yu wins MasterChef Season 12

Photo: FOX

Last month, I had the privilege of meeting with and interviewing Dara Yu, a proud Chinese American and one of the youngest contestants on FOX’s MasterChef Season 12. This season was the show’s first All-Stars season where they invited 20 former MasterChef contestants back to compete for the top prize. As she did in MasterChef Junior in 2013, Dara made it to the finale, but this time she won! In addition to the MasterChef title, Dara is awarded a $250,000 cash prize and a complete, state-of-the-art kitchen from Viking.

“My drive and passion came from my father. He passed away when I was 6-years-old. I know that all my dad wanted for me was just to follow my dream. I’ve done exactly what he wanted me to do. I think that’s why I put a lot of pressure on myself. I feel like I’m a living legacy of his and I have to make him proud,” says Dara.

What’s next for Dara? She is currently a culinary instructor in Santa Monica but hopes to one day turn her passion for educating others about food into a tv show. Dara is also working on a few projects that will invite us to taste her food — stay tuned for her announcement!

For now, see Dara’s winning moment below, and if you want to watch the full season, you can stream all Season 12 episodes on Hulu.

And in case you missed it, click here to read my full interview with Dara — then a contestant and now a WINNER.