Myrtle Beach, SC, man makes Top 10 on MasterChef. Here are 5 things we know about the cook
A Myrtle Beach man has used his cooking talents to earn a spot into the top 10 of this season’s “MasterChef: Generations.”
Michael Leonard landed a spot on the Fox TV reality cooking show by serving up judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez and Joe Bastianich an Italian dish.
The theme for Season 14 is pitting home cooks from teams of millennials, baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Y contestants.
The show airs at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. A new episode happens Sept. 4, 2024.
Here’s what we know about the Myrtle Beach cook.
He’s a millennial
The 27-year-old is representing the millennial generation this season. He is part of the millennial team contestants.
He’s a twin
Michael and his sister, Brittany Leonard, are twins. Both of them have a creative edge with Michael’s gift in cooking and Brittany is an artist. She studied at Coastal Carolina University, according to her Facebook page.
He’s a SC transplant
Michael moved to Myrtle Beach in 2011, according to his Facebook page. He previously lived in Chatham, New Jersey. He is listed on the show as a business owner.
He posts food videos
If you want to find some of Michael’s dishes, check out his Instagram page @flavor.perfection. He has several videos of him making certain dishes including homemade smashburgers and onion rings, lobster fettuccine and Walnut and Manchego Cheese Pesto Ravioli.
His mother is his inspiration
Michael describes his cooking style as more Italian. He made an Herb Goat Cheese Ravioli during his audition, adding that Italian food was one of her favorites.
His mother passed away from cancer before the show aired in May 2024. Michael told the judges that he and his mother would watch MasterChef together and that his “Mom is the biggest inspiration through this whole thing.”
“When I feel doubt or start to feel down, I feel like she’s right there,” he said during the auditions.
