In this episode of The Bastrop Podcast, Matt sits down with Bastrop resident and MasterChef contestant Camilo Chavez to talk about his journey from growing up around family meals and homemade tortillas to competing on one of the biggest cooking shows on television. Camilo shares how his Mexican-American and Texas roots shaped his cooking, how his daughter pushed him to apply for MasterChef, and what it was like making the Top 20 and earning an apron on MasterChef: The Global Gauntlet.

Camilo also takes us behind the scenes of MasterChef—from the pressure of the clock and unexpected pantry challenges to friendships among contestants and what Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and Tiffany Derry were really like off camera. We also talk about the support he has received from the Bastrop community, his plans to use his platform to give back through culinary education and fundraising, and his 60 Seconds of Wisdom: if you have something you love doing, chase it.

Location: Bastrop, TX
Guest: Camilo Chavez
Instagram/social media: @golfwineguy
Topics: MasterChef, The Global Gauntlet, Bastrop, Texas food culture, cooking, family, Mexican-American cuisine, behind the scenes of MasterChef, Gordon Ramsay, community, entrepreneurship

Connect with The Bastrop Podcast:
Instagram: @bastroppodcast
Wisdom House Realty Group: @wisdomhouse_tx
Website: https://www.wisdomhousetx.com/