DHHS Disability Analyst on “MasterChef”

Juni Cuevas, who works for Disability Determination Services, is a contestant on “MasterChef.” Photo courtesy of FOX.

UPDATE - July 19, 2018 - Cuevas was eliminated from "MasterChef" after eight episodes.

June 28, 2018 – Disability Analyst Juni Cuevas had no intention of trying out for the TV show “MasterChef” when auditions came to Raleigh in September. But a co-worker at NCDHHS’ Disability Determination Services (DDS) convinced him to audition.

Cuevas was one of hundreds who auditioned for the show in Raleigh. The participants were brought into the kitchen in groups of 20 and had three minutes to serve one plate of food for a panel of restaurant professionals, using items brought from home. After presenting the dish, the panel asked participants questions about themselves and their cooking background.

“Growing up, I was always teased and lacked self-esteem,” Cuevas said. “I’ve never felt like I was good enough, especially not good enough to appear in front of three world-renowned chefs and restauranteurs.”

Months later, Cuevas got the call to come to Los Angeles.

“MasterChef” films episodes only two months before they air, a fact that surprised Cuevas and the other contestants. But it made keeping his appearance a secret easier for Cuevas, who couldn’t tell friends and co-workers why he’d been away and unresponsive to calls and text messages. 

“I’m a terrible liar,” he said. “Trying to keep this a secret was probably more challenging than the competition itself.” 

Filming on the show is much like what viewers see, Cuevas said. The contestants are self-taught cooks and are expected to perform at the same level of host and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The show also gave Cuevas the opportunity to work with unique ingredients and travel to various locations for team challenges. 

Since his “MasterChef” season began airing on May 30, Cuevas has received nothing but love and praise since word got out. Splitting time between DDS and his “MasterChef” duties has been difficult, but it hasn’t affected Cuevas’s ability to do his job at DDS. His co-workers want to talk about the show or ask him to cook for them. 

Home life is still the same for Cuevas, though more of his friends show up on Wednesday nights to watch “MasterChef” at 8 p.m. on FOX. He did delay his wedding for the show, but his fiancé has enjoyed his role as designated taste tester for new recipes.

“MasterChef” has not only given Cuevas a stage to show off his cooking talents, but it’s also helped his confidence. 

“My whole life, I have been teased and subjected to hurtful experiences for being short, gay, effeminate and Mexican,” he said. “If I am to accomplish anything with the platform this experience has given me, it would be to inspire anyone else that may have felt like they’re not good enough to take a chance, because you never know what may come out of it.”

“MasterChef” concludes its ninth season on Aug. 29.