Joe Bastianich believes MasterChef Generations excels for this key reason, interview

While he is never afraid to speak his opinions freely, Joe Bastianich sees a slight evolution in MasterChef Generations. Although it remains to be seen which demographic earns the coveted culinary title, the spirited FOX competition amongst the home cooks makes for compelling episodes. According to Bastianich, the real reason why this season excels really comes down to one factor.

In recent MasterChef seasons, the competition has evolved with various themes. Instead of pigeonholing the concept into a particular mindset, the newer iterations keep the concept fresh. Even though everyone anxiously awaits the first Mystery Box challenge or the iconic Wall Challenge, how the new batch of home cooks handle each task is vital to the show’s longevity.

During a conversation with Joe Bastianich, he explained why MasterChef Generations was so intriguing to him. His words will have FOX viewers rewatching the initial episodes from this season.

Bastianich said, “every year we have to invent something and this is the first time that we have four very defined, active generations that we can refer to in our society.  Each one has different historical experiences, different techniques, and different ways of thinking about food aside from themselves as human being and how they behave in the world.”

“In the auditions, or even in the first episode, we get to see not only the food tendency and the type of ingredients that they gravitate towards or the kinds of dishes that they make, but we really see the human behavior and how people have evolved in four generations, how they see the world, and how they access that information or reference things. It is almost a cultural documentary on generational differences.”

Although the home cooks must excel in all types of challenges, it is often the home cooks’ evolution throughout the season that earns them the title. When asked which generation might be best suited to listen and apply feedback, Bastianich was clear.

“I would say the millennials because they land at this age where they grew up with the internet, are digitally savvy, and also have enough life experience where they can reference different cuisines. They bring together the best of it.”

“The opposite side is the boomers who are very much traditional, a bit more old school. The Gen Zers are very irreverent to tradition, and they create dishes that look primarily good on your phone but may not taste as good.”

While there is a time and a place for every type of scenario, Bastianich believes that successful home cooks prepared for the competition. He said, “the smart ones have certainly studied the past episodes. But, while we are there to judge them, we are also there to teach them. The ones who take our feedback and apply it are the ones who go far.”

Although there are many challenges between the auditions and the finale, the home cooks can have a little gamesmanship along the way. Bastianich admitted that the dynamic changes when the team goes away.

He said, “you get to see both sides and how each generational tendency applies in a team. How much do you look after yourself, how much do you step back what you are doing. But, it is always changing. The human tendencies how people react to each other and in a competitive situation is interesting. That dynamic is fun, compelling, and complex. It keeps the viewer engaged.”

And, one compelling dynamic that played out in the beginning of the MasterChef Generations season was Joe’s mother, Lidia Bastianich, appearing in an episode. When asked about having his mother join the judging panel, he said:

“It's always interesting because wherever my mother goes and I'm there she still treats me like I'm seven. There's always a good chance I might get smack. We have a difference of opinions and it's fun. She brings a wealth of experience and she's been doing it a long time. It is always fun to have her around as much as it may bruise my ego from time to time.”

Whether age brings wisdom or youthful exuberance rises to the top, the end result remains to be seen. One home cook will earn the title of MasterChef, but all the generations are winners in the end.

Be sure to watch new episodes of MasterChef Generations on FOX every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes can be streamed the next day on Hulu.