Award-winning chef and restaurateur Tiffany Derry has made television history. The Texas-based culinary star is now the first Black full-time judge on the hit cooking competition MasterChef. After years of competing on food shows and working in some of the best kitchens worldwide, her moment in the judge’s seat has arrived.
This is a huge step not only for Derry but also for many aspiring chefs watching at home. Her new role brings fresh representation to one of the world’s biggest cooking shows.
A Dream Born in the Kitchen
Tiffany Derry knew early in life that she belonged in the kitchen. At just 15, she landed her first job cooking at IHOP. Her passion for food only grew from there, leading her to earn a culinary degree from the Art Institute of Houston.
After graduating, Derry built her career one plate at a time, working at well-known restaurants in Texas. Over time, she began appearing on food shows like Top Chef, Worst Cooks in America, and Bobby’s Triple Threat. These experiences sharpened her skills and prepared her for this exciting new chapter.
Why This Role Matters
Joining MasterChef as a full-time judge means more than fame for Derry. It’s a chance to show women—especially Black women—that there’s room for them at the top in the food world.
Speaking about the moment she learned of her historic role, Derry said, “It’s a little surreal… and then everyone else started saying it, and so many young chefs started reaching out. My heart just felt overwhelmed and lovely and beautiful.”
For Derry, this isn’t just a job; it’s a calling to uplift others and change what leadership in the culinary world looks like.
Lessons From Both Sides of the Table
Derry’s years of competing give her a special edge as a judge. She knows what it feels like to face tough challenges in a kitchen far from home, with new rules and unfamiliar equipment.
“I feel like I’m probably most suited to truly understand what they’re going through,” she explained. Her advice to contestants often focuses on staying calm, tasting often, and focusing on every detail.
That insight is priceless for nervous cooks battling to stay in the competition each week.
Cooking Across Continents
One thing that sets Tiffany Derry apart is her deep love for global flavors. She made a promise to herself in culinary school: travel outside the country every year to learn about different cuisines.
Since then, she’s cooked and eaten her way through Asia, the Caribbean, and beyond. She calls Laotian food her current favorite, thanks to its bold mix of spice, sourness, and funk. This rich background means she brings a unique and wide-ranging palate to the judging panel.
Creating Change for Women in Kitchens
As a leader in the industry, Derry knows firsthand the struggles many women, especially Black women, face in restaurant kitchens. Long, demanding hours often make it hard to balance family life and career.
To help, she built her own hospitality company, T2D Concepts, with four-day workweeks for her team. “I created a company that could do that,” she shared. “It was very important to me.”
Derry hopes that by making changes in her own business, she can inspire bigger shifts in the restaurant world.
The Mark She Hopes to Leave Behind
While Derry is proud of this historic first, she’s even more focused on what comes next. She wants young women watching to see that there’s no ceiling on what they can achieve in food—or any industry.
“I hope that as they see me there, they feel inspired,” she said. “Whether it’s through culinary or any industry.”
And as she settles into her new role at MasterChef, it’s clear Tiffany Derry isn’t just judging dishes—she’s breaking barriers and building futures.
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