Final Table Q&A - Robert Rose

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Posted Feb 28, 2024

Name: Robert Rose
Hometown: Napoli, Italy
Currently Resides: Concord, California

Q: Who or what is your inspiration?
A: My wife Jen Rose and my little chef, son, Tony! They push me to do what I love and are super supportive with my career.

Q: How long have you been cooking?
A: Ten years.

Q: What motivated you to get into Food Sport?
A: I like to call it "Family Sport." Having my best friend and family all do this with me is really special. We all go as a family. "If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat… The people who give you their food give you their heart."

Q: How many times have you competed at WFC?
A: 4

Q: What is the name of the dish you won your category with at the 2023 WFC?
A: Under The Tuscan Sun

Q: Tell us a little about that dish.
Q: The challenge was to use DR Delicacy Black Truffles. So I'll start from the bottom. I made a black garlic and parmigiano fonduta. Then I topped the sauce with a black truffled crispy gnocchi that I tossed in fresh parsley. Topped that with butter and thyme roasted wild mushrooms. Then the pierre de resistance.... A rustic bread crusted deep fried hen yolk acting as the sun. Shaved fresh truffles rounded out the experience. When the judges popped the yolk, the experience continued all the way to the bottom.

Q: What do you like most about competing in WFC?
A: It's like one big family. Walking through the kitchen arena is like scrolling through my social media feed. Seeing all my favorite competitors in every category. A yearly reunion of people that have the same passion and talent as I do all under one roof.

Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced at WFC?
A: The clock! This year's new format was intimidating to say the least.

Q: What would a Final Table win mean to you?
A: Oh gosh.... It would solidify that "anyone can cook." I was the only competitor in the Chef category that never went to school! Some say that being dyslexic has its challenges... but I believe that it has its advantages too! As most people see letters and numbers, I translate them into shapes and colors.

Q: What type of competitor do you identify as?
A: Home Cook

Q: Any advice you'd like to share with competitors new to WFC?
A: Follow your heart. My attitude has always been, that I do not go to compete! I go to celebrate! Just by being there you are a winner! Everything will fall into place when it's meant to happen and not forced!

Q: What is something few people know about you?
A: I speak Italian fluently. I am dyslexic.

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Final Table Q&A - Robert Rose

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