The transformation of the "MasterChef" star: "I have been cooking and eating only kosher food for five years"

Eliav Kinzan Sasson was in the MasterChef kitchen before almost everyone else. After impressing in the second season of the program and finishing in second place, he is now ready for "MasterChef: Dream Team" which started this week (a new episode tonight, Thursday, on Keshet 12). After conquering the kitchen and while running a successful wedding dress business, he feels it is time to return to the kitchen and close the circle.

"First of all, it's coming home. It's something I did and that still goes with me, and it's an amazing reason to return. I have added value that I want to talk about today," the designer and concept meal chef told in an interview with +12.

So what is the added value? In the last five years, Sasson has changed his cooking and eating habits. "For five years I have been cooking and eating only kosher food, all my engagement around kosher food is constant. Everywhere I go, they tell me 'What, you are a chef and you only cook kosher? How are you with this limitation?'. I think this is a great opportunity to give people a glimpse, to show that it is possible to pay respect to kosher cuisine, and to show how this challenge can often be a huge bonus."

The interview with Eliav Kinzan Sasson is available for viewing now on +12

What has changed since the previous season? "I started 'MasterChef' when I had just opened my dress business, and 'MasterChef' sprinkled magic dust on me and helped the business fly as high as possible. It was very blessed, but 14 years have passed and today it meets this in a different place. Today I don't come to be applauded, and not for the pomposity or the glitter, it challenges me. I enjoy raising the level in everything I touch, and if it's cooking, then to come here and give it my all."

About a year ago, Sasson shared on social media that he and his partner dream of being parents, and are even looking for a surrogate mother after years of unsuccessful attempts. "I want to start a family in the way I aim for, it is challenging just like everything in life," he addressed in the interview. "You don't need to be afraid of challenges, it is possible, it happens and it is here. I have my own way, I know that the Creator is with me, and what is mine will come to me easily and precisely. I just need patience."

Are you competitive? "I have been competitive since the day I was born. Everything I touch, I like to bring the highest achievements possible. In my studies I was an honors student, in my fashion business I always wanted to reach the highest level and I touched the peaks. If I came here, I want to do my best here too."

Do you have red lines in the competition? "My red lines are to never do anything that will make someone else feel uncomfortable or bad, and I expect the same towards me, that we will all be of one hand and do joint work. Another red line is, God forbid, to do some non-kosher task, but that will not happen."

Is it scary to return to a season of returning participants? "I am not afraid of mistakes and failures. I am grateful for what I have, I don't cry about what I don't have or what might not be. I am here now, I am having fun, I am good, and what is directed to me from heaven, I am in complete surrender, with complete faith, I am on a path that is accurate for me. I think that those from the recent seasons actually have it easier, because their oven is hot in everything related to making a program."

Are there contestants you are afraid to compete against? "I would like to compete against all the pros that exist here, and each one is worthy of respect. I would like to do some task against Manal, she intrigues me the most."

Interviewer: Noa Barkai