'MasterChef' recap: Victory is sweet for Whitney

The pastry princess reigns supreme.

It was a Miller vs. Miller showdown as Whitney Miller, a 22-year-old college student from Mississippi, upended David Miller, 29, a software engineer from Boston, and was named the first American MasterChef -- a.k.a. the best home cook in America.

Even more impressive: Whitney's giggly, cute-as-could-be exterior concealed a steely self-confidence, focus and unflappability that would be remarkable in someone twice her age, and with three times as much experience. She even surprised herself.

"I was even shocked at how intense and focused I was," Whitney said during a media conference call this morning. She even managed to stay cool-as-a-cucumber when she -- SPLAT! -- dropped her chicken dish on the floor with just seven minutes to go in the final challenge. What did she do? She calmly started over.

"I just knew I wanted to stay focused. I kept telling myself, 'You've worked so hard through this whole process, you can't lose this at the end.'"

She did confess, however, that she was bluffing when she went before the judges and told them -- with confidence -- that she was sure that her Round 2 chicken was cooked all the way through, even though the judges, chefs Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot, and restaurateur Joe Bastianich raised doubts about whether chicken could be properly and fully cooked in such little time.

"I was nervous, so nervous about the chicken. I didn't know for sure whether it was cooked through. I didn't look it on the outside, but I had worry on the inside, for sure."

Whitney also conceded that victory tasted that much sweeter for beating out David, who could be an overly confident, cocky jerk. (Those are my words, not Whitney's.)

"He has that confidence, and I think that definitely came across as arrogance, that was just his personality, it was definitely funny to see that come across," she said.

And was it equally gratifying to beat him given all that chest-pounding? "Oh, definitely," she said.

Last week, I wondered whether Whitney was worthy of the "MasterChef" title. There was no doubt that she could cook. But I wondered whether she had talent that went beyond an ability to execute a recipe. Well, I was wrong: I was in awe of her steadfastness and confidence during the finale. She more than held her own -- she excelled -- and was truly deserving of the title.

Whitney said her confidence comes from her family and her faith, and a "very good work ethic." She said she never felt unnerved by competitors who were twice her age, or had far more experience.

Actually, the way Whitney sees it, she was one of the most experienced cooks in the bunch: Her mother taught her to cook at a young age, and she loved it so much that she has been the one responsible for making the family dinner each night -- and has done so for a decade. "At age 14, I was cooking profiteroles," she said.

So what's next for Whitney, after winning the $250,000 and a contract to write her very own cookbook? She said she is trying to decide whether her cookbook should play off her "pastry princess" persona or focus on Southern hospitality and down-home dishes. (Whitney, the answer is WRITE TWO COOKBOOKS!) She is also focused on expanding the catering business, Glaze, that she owns with her mother.

[Click here for a look at the new "MasterChef" cookbook accompanying the season, plus news on a new iPhone app for fans.]

In true Southern fashion, Whitney says she loves catering because it allows her to create a perfect moment for someone else: "I really like taking that time to make it personal and make it special for someone."

Oh, and she would love to have her own TV show.

So what did you think? Did the right person win?

--Rene Lynch
Twitter.com / renelynch

Photo: Fox

Comments

[Dianne]

Whitney was a frontrunner from the beginning. Very creative, she seems like an exceptional chef ('cook' just doesn't describe her)...with a very bright future. I agree with 'Show Tracker' - she should write both cookbooks. I'd buy them and so would many other viewers, I'm sure.

[HK]

Given the last four choices we were left with, she definitely should of lost. Sheetal was the obvious first one leaving. You can't be a vegetarian master chef. The master implies a wider range of cooking, aka no one who could excel in just Asian cuisine stayed. Yes David miller is a strong cook and def. knows how to execute a dish but he didn't get enough praise the entire season or stayed consistent enough to win. U can tell how this is gonna end... and Whitney...I mean..not to sound jealous of her age but come on...back to the 'master' aspect...I didn't realize pastries and southern cuisine encompassed all a master chef would need. The judges, blinded by her giggles and southern fried food (which i'm sure none of them were really aware that what it all tastes like (esp. Joe with the "collards are less than spinach" comment)) but she was a good face to put on the first winner. Now Lee should've won of course. Not only did he have skills but he was creative and only improving every ep. of the show, but it's over now. Hopefully the next Master Chef is even harder to compete in.

[Joey]

Yes, I think Whitney undeniably deserved to win. At just 22, I couldn't believe the skills, pallate and humble she was for the duration of the contest. It was amazing. On a plus side she is one adorable southern bell!

Congrats Whitney, you earned it!

Joey

[Mick]

My7 wife and I both enjoyed the show immensely and were happy with Whitney's victory; David just got a little to cocky at the end.

[Delia]

The show and the outcome were delightful. It's about time that low country southern cuisine -- American classic -- take its rightful place alongside all the other cuisines that make this country great -- French, Italian, Asian, Mediterranean, other regional American styles....humble cooking requires skill and focus as well. As the judges observed, rightly --- it takes incredible talent to use simple, inexpensive ingredients and deliver outstanding flavor, presentation, satisfaction that rivals what a restaurant can do when there's no expense spared. Watching Whitney cook was seeing an artist at work, focused and exacting, and her level of maturity was far beyond her age. It disappoints me that some judge her on the basis of her youth, her gender, or anything other than her talent. She's brought honor to a tradition long overlooked and underappreciated....and for those people who have never been able to afford meals in gourmet restaurants, home cooking prepared with that level of dedication and talent is priceless. I wish my grandmother were here to celebrate your victory, Whitney! By the way, it was a terrific group of contenders, and I really enjoyed the show --- just wish I could have been a taster!

[Ken]

Declaring a winner sitting at home without tasting the food is impossible.

It's reality TV, which means 95% of the drama is staged (does anybody seriously believe all the last second platings?). It also means it's edited to sway audience opinion. I.E. once somebody starts being shown as cocky/arrogant they are on their way out.

The winner was easy to predict. Did she deserve it? Who knows, who cares?

[C. Cora]

To HK:
Why should Lee win over Whitney? Because he's older? He's only been cooking a year, while Whitney's been cooking for a decade. Yes, I'll agree that he probably has picked up cooking skills faster than Whitney, but only cooking a year, he has a long way to go. Lee's passion and creativity got him as far as it did, but Whitney's palette and solid understanding of cooking fundamentals were clearly shown. Something that only years of trial and error can produce. Lee may very well excel her in the future... but who was the more solid chef at the time? Definitely Whitney.

[C. Cora]

Congratulations Whitney! It was great meeting you on the show. You deserve to win. Your cooking skills and confidence at your age is such a rare thing to see.

I would expect nothing less from a fellow USM alumni. Go girl. Wish you great success!

[Glen]

I think they had Whitney pegged as the winner way before the final because they saw someone they could market and make money off of ala Rachel Ray..do I think she should have won, no. Look at David's final three dishes compared to her's...David's level was way stronger than her's, even Lee's was in the first round. But like I said they had their mind set on the winner way before the food even got started. But at least I do not have to hear these morons like Sharone anymore calling himself a "Chef"...these guys are home cooks and everytime the word Chef is used to describe them insults the real Chefs that have worked years, studied years, etc. to be called that...

[All Hallows Eve]

Excellent Whitney! WTG girl!
She has great potential and a lot of passion.
Glad to see her win!

[Carl]

I was a bit surprised that Whitney won over David. David was the only person to get an almost perfect score with industry food critics, his dishes were well received by the judges and he was a ballsy risk taker. Don't get me wrong, I like Whitney and am glad she won, good for her. But I don't think the better chef won.

[Steve G]

This was the first time I had ever seen the show (started at the :30 mark).

Talkin' about dragged out, exploitive, slow-witted programming with more cutaways than a Fred Astaire background dance chorus.

I will now even switch away from Gordon Ramsay PROMOS. 'Queen For A Day 'with Jack Bailey had more integrity than this junk.

[Peter]

Whitney deserved to win, she faced a lot of adversity in several elimination challenges, and came thru everytime. She was often very good on one dish, then bad on another dish in the same episode, but she always came thru when her back was against the wall. David Miller Self-destructed, had he done a slightly less-complex main dish, he would have won, but he bit off more than he could chew with a Beef Wellington. The last challenge was cook your 3 best dishes, it would be hard to imagine Beef Wellington was David's best dish. His crepe also could not compare to Whitney's dessert.

Sharone was the most talented, but he also self-destructed with the fish challenge. Whitney knew her limits and perfected what she knew.

[Chris B]

With all due respect to Whitney, who obviously can cook, I just felt the winner was preordained as far back as the auditions.

The entire discussion with Whitney's parents about whether she could handle the pressure just came across as incredibly fake.

And when she said "I float like a butterfly but sting like a bee" in that conversation - yeah, there's a catchphrase 22-year-old Southern girls use all the time.

And before you Whitney lovers start flaming, again, the girl can obviously cook. I enjoy Ramsey's shows and cookbooks, and looked forward to the show.

Having said that, it just seemed so preordained that I actually stopped watching it after four weeks and wasn't surprised at all when the eventual winner... eventually won.

[Christine]

Whitney you are such a beautiful young lady and I can't wait to buy your new cookbook.....the best chef won............you go girl!

[John Kendall]

The I'm like a butterfly girl is adorable & enthusiastic. Sure she can cook, but I think in the greater scheme of things David would make a better restaurant chef. His smiles & interacting with people shows good selling skills as well as his stupendous dishes. If I were a restauranter I'd hire him in a heartbeat!

[leah m]

gr8 job whitney me and my sis's and mom watched ur show vibrantly every week and we got so into it(its an awsome show!) u should of heard us scream when u droped the chicken! we were all rooting for u from the beginning!!!!!!!!!! and were so glad u won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! gr8 job and good luck on ur catering business!!!!!!!!!!!

[James Marrow]

I'm sorry, but I definitely will not be buying her cookbook. Fried pork and some of the other dishes she made looked gross to me and unhealthy to me. You can get the same kind of food at a low quality joint...The three judges voted for her since they think she's marketable and attractive. I bet they are all wrong. Unless Rachel Ray resigns, I think America doesn't want another non-chef peepsqueak cook on TV to watch....

[Leeanna]

Congrats Whitney! But I trully feel that Sharone or Lee should be the winner. Love masterchef, love Gordon Ramsay & friends. But politic went into the show too!

[esther]

..others say that david's dishes looks better than whitney's -- but "not everything that looks better tastes better"..
..go whitney!!! ♥♥♥