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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MasterChef Winner Michael Leonard Shares His Culinary Journey in Exclusive Interview
The Season 14 Champion Discusses His Rise from Home Cook to Culinary Innovator MYRTLE BEACH, SC / / June 2, 2025 / Michael Leonard, the celebrated winner of Season 14 of MasterChef, is sharing his remarkable culinary journey in an exclusive online interview titled From Home Kitchen to MasterChef: The Journey of Michael Leonard. In this insightful feature, Michael opens up about his passion for cooking, the experiences that shaped his career, and his vision for the future of his brand, Flavor Perfection. Born and raised in New Jersey, Michael's love for food began at an early age. Growing up in a diverse community, he was exposed to a variety of flavors and cooking styles that inspired his creative approach to food. "Cooking is like speaking a language. Every dish says something about where it came from," Michael shares in the interview. After years of experimenting in his family kitchen, Michael's talents brought him to the national stage when he competed in MasterChef's fourteenth season. His bold flavors and innovative storytelling through food captivated the judges, earning him the prestigious title of MasterChef champion in 2024. Now based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Michael is the founder and driving force behind Flavor Perfection, a culinary brand that celebrates intentional cooking and memorable dining experiences. His approach blends global influences with classic techniques, resulting in dishes that are both accessible and elevated. "Flavor Perfection is about intentional cooking. It's about making every meal special," Michael explains. In the interview, Michael discusses his passion for connecting with others through food and his belief that every dish should tell a story. His journey from a home kitchen in New Jersey to national recognition serves as an inspiring reminder that passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary success. About Michael: Michael Leonard is the winner of MasterChef Season 14 and the founder of Flavor Perfection. Based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, he is known for his bold flavors, thoughtful presentation, and storytelling through food. Michael's culinary philosophy is rooted in intentional cooking and creating memorable dining experiences. To read the full interview, click here. Contact: michaelleonard@ SOURCE: Michael Leonard View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
CBS News
28-04-2025
- CBS News
Man accused of stealing car at Massachusetts gas station arrested hours later in New Jersey
A Maine man accused of stealing a car at a gas station in Reading, Massachusetts Saturday evening was arrested hours later in New Jersey. It happened at the Shell gas station on Main Street shortly after 6:30 p.m. Police said a man was pumping gas when a 32-year-old man from Livermore Falls, Maine stole his car and took off, dragging the man as he held onto his side mirror. Car stolen from gas station Michael Leonard was also at the gas station at the time and was the first to help the man, who he saw laying injured on the ground. "And as I approached him, he was like, 'He stole my car, he stole my car,'" said Leonard. Leonard said he was shocked to see it was one of his neighbors he's known for a long time. "I think he tried to not stop him," said Leonard. "I think he thought someone was screwing around or something with him, so he grabbed the mirror and then got dragged 20, 25 feet." The suspect allegedly pulled up and parked next to another pump in a blue Chevrolet Malibu that was previously reported stolen out of Maine. Police said the suspect hopped out of that car and into the Reading man's Range Rover and sped towards the highway, leaving Leonard's friend on the ground, bleeding. "He was actually pretty compared. He was more concerned about grabbing his cellphone, which was 10 feet from him so he could look at it and track the guy. You could see him going by Woburn on the Google Maps," said Leonard. Arrested 5 hours later in NJ Police later found and arrested the suspect after a brief vehicle and foot chase in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey at around 11:30 p.m. He now faces a number of charges in several states, including New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Police said he will also likely face additional charges in New Jersey and Maine. Steven Demarco, who manages a nearby pizza shop, came out to help the victim at the gas station. "He's a well-known dude," said Demarco. "So I mean, god bless him, thank god he's OK, I'm glad they got the guy." "People like that deserve to be punished in some capacity, so he stole two cars that day," said Leonard. "But this, he really could have hurt this guy." Police are still investigating the incident. The 49-year-old Reading man was taken to the hospital and is expected to be OK.
