When I heard Food Network was casting 100 home cooks from across the country, I knew I had to audition. The keyword was home cooks. I'm not a trained chef. I don't own a restaurant. I'm simply a home cook who has spent the last 16 years sharing my family's Mexican recipes on MuyBuenoBlog.com.
More than anything, I wanted to step out from behind my computer and my home kitchen, get out of my comfort zone, and introduce myself to a national audience. I wanted people to know the person behind the recipes and the stories that inspire them.
Walking onto the set for the first time was surreal. Imagine a giant warehouse buzzing with cameras, lights, wires, and people moving in every direction. It looked like organized chaos, yet somehow everyone knew exactly what they were doing. From wardrobe and producers to the sound crew, camera operators, and hair and makeup teams, I walked away with a whole new appreciation for the hundreds of people it takes to make one hour of television.
Although I was only on the show for eight days, filming could last up to two weeks, depending on how long contestants stayed in the competition. My alarm went off at 5 a.m. every morning, and by the time we got back to the hotel, it was often close to 9 p.m. The days were long, and there was a lot more waiting than cooking.
The biggest surprise wasn't the competition. It was the community.
Every morning at breakfast and every afternoon at lunch, we gathered around the same tables with the contestants sitting nearby. Without our phones, we actually talked. We shared stories about our families, the recipes that brought us there, and why we had each said yes to this crazy adventure. Every person in that room had a story. Every dish represented generations of family traditions and memories.
I was contestant #6, and contestant #7, Alexandria, was often right beside me. She was much younger than me, and before long, I found myself slipping into mentor mode. She reminded me so much of myself when I was first starting Muy Bueno. We talked about preserving family recipes, building a business, and finding our voices. I shared what I've learned over the years, but truthfully, I learned just as much from her. Had I never said yes to this show, our paths probably never would have crossed.
After several days of waiting, Terry Crews called all of us who hadn't cooked yet down to the kitchen. Nineteen of us raced for ingredients, squeezed into tiny cooking stations, and tried to think several steps ahead. The challenge was to create a one-pot meal, so every move mattered. I made my chicken pozole, carefully planning each step. Ironically, once the clock started, I wasn't nervous at all. I was completely in my element.
Like every contestant, I couldn't wait to watch my episode. We spent hours in interviews talking about our dishes, our families, and even what we'd do with the prize money if we won. I hoped viewers would get to know me — not just the food I cook, but why I cook. It reminded me that every contestant had a story worth telling.
When our episode aired, Alexandria and I reconnected. Neither of our dishes nor our stories made the final edit. Of course, we were disappointed, but talking with her reminded me of something much bigger.
No one can take this from us: We know we were there.
We know how hard we worked.
We know what it took to stand in that kitchen.
We both carried family recipes into that competition.
We both wanted to make our families proud.
No edit can take that away.
Would I do it again? Honestly, no. Cooking competitions aren't for me. I'm happiest in my own kitchen, sharing recipes at my own pace.
But I will always be grateful I said yes. I didn't come home with $250,000. However, I came home with lifelong friendships, a deeper appreciation for the people who make television possible, and a renewed commitment to preserving my family's recipes and the stories behind them. Those are stories I'll keep telling, whether the audience is one person around my kitchen table or millions watching from home.
About the Author
Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack is a Highlands Ranch resident, cookbook author, and the creator of Muy Bueno. In her award-winning food blog, she has shared her family's Mexican recipes and stories for more than 16 years. Find hundreds of recipes at MuyBuenoBlog.com and follow her on Instagram @muybuenocooking, Facebook @muybuenocookbook, and YouTube @MuyBuenoCooking.