by Todd Betzold

After thousands of homecooks auditioned for Season 3 of MasterChef, the Top 18 were finally named and the first Mystery Box Challenge took place. After a quick challenge, we saw the first homecook to be sent home. Despite Samantha de Silva's efforts to impress the judges with a Seared Duck Breast, the judges were not impressed and she was sent home. Today, we spoke with Samantha about her experiences on MasterChef.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you try out for MasterChef?
A. Samantha: For me, it was kind of a push from a friend. I do want to be in the culinary world, but I decided to wait a couple years and this was an opportunity to get my feet wet to see exactly where I wanted to take my culinary dreams, so to speak. So, I jumped at the chance when it came along.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What were you thinking when it was down to just you and Ryan after the Mystery Box Challenge. What was going through your mind at that time?
A. Samantha: I kind of felt like maybe I didn't want it as much as anybody else at that point. I was not willing to insult anyone else to get past. Maybe my head is not in the game (laughs). I take my beatings, from a man or a woman. I kind of accepted that. You have to be willing to fight for it, but I feel it was whining about it doesn't warrant it. I'll take my grace and my self-respect before I take someone out and go to the next round.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What was it like working with the time constraints and having the ingredients given to you for that Mystery Box Challenge?
A. Samantha: I love duck and I eat it quite frequently, but all the other ingredients. I don't like sweet potatoes. I don't like the texture of them. I hate eggplant. I can cook them, but I would never cook any of those ingredients for myself. It made it kind of daunting. I mean, if I was executing a meal here, I would never choose these. I didn't like it and when you feel like you don't want to do something, it was one of those feelings. I tried to put something together and be creative. I like to do different textures and different taste sensations and the judges thought I was trying to be too fancy and being overzealous with my creativity. Maybe they were right, but my plate looked good. It was pretty. I overcooked the first duck breast and I had to throw the other one on really quickly, but I didn't have time to cook it to a proper medium rare and obviously at that level, they are not looking for just anything.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Is there anyone that stood out to you in the competition this early on?
A. Samantha: There is a lot of phenomenal talent left in the competition. I think most of it is going to be who can prevail. When it comes down to it, it's an elimination contest, so it has to be who can prevail. Who can be consistent? Who can get by and still bring their game? I think it's going to be really interesting. I think Josh is a passionate cook and is amazing, but then Frank has his techniques to fall back on. It's going to be really interesting to see how they work with each other and off of each other. I think a lot of people are trying to get tidbits of information from each other. It's going to be a lot of fun and there is a lot of talent left there, so it's anyone's game.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What's the biggest thing you are going to take away from this experience that you were able to go through?
A. Samantha: I realized I love food and the dynamic of a restaurant, but I do not actually love standing behind the line and cooking. I think, for me, it's going to be much more of a creative role in the kitchen, kind of like creating menus and doing a lot of streamlining. Even in my own restaurant, it'll be my food, but I won't be cooking it. I'll be out there shaking hands with the customers and making sure that everything gets executed properly. It was a good experience for me to take away from.

MasterChef airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 9/8c on FOX.

(Image courtesy of FOX)

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