Chef Claudia Sandoval transitions from MasterChef winner to acclaimed chef, author, and TV host, sharing her modern Mexican cuisine and cultural advocacy with a global audience. After winning Season 6 of MasterChef U.S. in 2015, Chef Claudia Sandoval secured a $250,000 cash prize and a bestselling cookbook deal, immediately establishing her as a prominent voice in contemporary Mexican cuisine within the United States. Sandoval quickly became recognized for her distinctive culinary style, a modern interpretation of Mexican coastal cuisine that centers on telling the stories embedded in each dish, extending beyond mere flavor to encompass memory, resistance, and love.

This culinary philosophy forms the foundation of her distinctive approach. Following her MasterChef win, Sandoval expanded her culinary presence significantly. She founded Claudia’s Cocina, a culinary consulting and catering company, and also launched Cochi Dorado, a nationally acclaimed pop-up bakery specializing in reinvented traditional Mexican pan dulce. Her influence was further cemented by her bestselling cookbook, ‘Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico.’ Sandoval has become a recurring fixture on television, appearing as a judge and competitor on numerous acclaimed shows including ‘Chopped,’ ‘Chopped Jr.,’ ‘Worst Cooks in America,’ ‘Budget Battles,’ ‘Tournament of Champions,’ ‘Grudge Match,’ ‘Easter Basket Challenge,’ and ‘Best Thing I Ever Ate,’ as well as ‘Top Chef VIP’.

Currently, Chef Sandoval serves as a judge for the prestigious James Beard Broadcast Media Awards. She actively organizes cross-border culinary festivals, such as Culinary Concerto, which promote cultural exchange and binational collaboration, enhancing culinary diplomacy. Through her multifaceted career, Chef Sandoval has demonstrably raised over $1 million for non-profits and community-driven organizations since her MasterChef victory. She continues to expand her culinary and advocacy efforts, maintaining a presence that spans the vibrant culinary scenes of San Diego and Tijuana.