Precision meets passion: A dentistry alum’s journey to the MasterChef Canada finale

By Rachel Boutet

Liz Worndl 2T0 used her culinary skills to earn a spot in the MasterChef Canada season eight finale, placing as one of the runners-up. We caught up with Worndl about her experience on the show.

What were some of the highlights of your time on MasterChef Canada?
It truly was a life-changing experience. The highlight was being given the opportunity to pursue this passion. I feel incredibly lucky and so fortunate. Beyond the cooking itself, I met so many incredible people — cool, interesting, like-minded individuals — and the entire experience was overwhelmingly positive.

Any lowlights?
Absolutely. One of the hardest parts was watching my friends leave week by week. You form such strong bonds, so having to go head-to-head with people you’ve grown to respect and care about was really challenging emotionally.

Do you have a favourite dish you made during the competition?
The eggplant dish that got me into the finale. That moment felt surreal — I was so proud because it truly felt like me on a plate. It wasn’t about creating something ground-breaking; it was food I would make at home. It embodied where I want to go with my food dream: approachable dishes that anyone can pull off, but elevated. It was plated beautifully, because presentation is just as important — food is art. Cooking is my outlet.

Can we talk about the sprinkle cake? *Reader’s note: in case you missed this episode, Worndl had to make a sprinkle cake but forgot to put the sprinkles IN the cake.
There were so many blunders along the way. I had the immunity pin from the competition I had won previously and thought, “Why not use it to guarantee my safety?” It really shows how mentally exhausting and taxing the experience was — I genuinely forgot things I normally never would.

Was there a dish you liked the least?
The mille-feuille. It just wasn’t me. I’d never made it before and had never even eaten one. With that dish, I tried to impress rather than stay true to my own style of cooking, and that was a really important lesson for me. One of the judges asked me, “Would you order this dish?” And the answer is: no. You have to cook the food you want to eat and stay true to yourself. If you do that, people will love it. I really came into my own after that moment.

What’s next for you?
The future feels very unknown, but in a good way. I’ve spent nearly a year holding this secret, so having it come to a close is actually a relief. It was so much fun, and now it feels like time to move on and focus on what’s next.

I really love blogging, and I think that’s where a lot of my cooking is headed. I’d also love to have my own cookbook someday. The feedback I get through my website brings me so much joy — when people try my dishes and love them, it’s incredibly rewarding. Cooking, for me, is all about sharing with others and showing love. I want to show that everyone can do it.

I’m still working full-time as a dentist, so right now it’s about balancing both worlds and finding a rhythm. We’ll see where that takes me!

You check out Worndl’s recipes on Instagram and her website, plus read more about her MasterChef Canada journey.

Top photo: Courtesy of MasterChef Canada