Catching Up with Leslie
I consider myself a Renaissance man. I take care of my wife, my children, and our house. I am the newest breed of man – the man that supports the dreams of his partner. In order to understand me, it is important to explain where I have been.
Like I said throughout the entirety of this season of FOX’s, “Masterchef,” I am 56 years old! I was born in Manhattan, and I have seven brothers and three sisters. My mother was a nun before she married my father, and I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. My parents were strict, and feeding 11 young, hungry mouths is no easy task. In my house, there were only two legs on a chicken, and if you weren’t there first, you didn’t get any. There was no such thing as having a second helping – if you snooze, you lose.
Due to hard times, at a young age, I spent about ten years in a Catholic orphanage with several of my siblings. There was enough food for everyone, and although the food was better than I was used to getting at home, I definitely wouldn’t call it “restaurant quality.” Actually, I didn’t even know what a restaurant was. My no-nonsense upbringing inspired me to work hard. I have never lived outside of my means. I saved every penny I ever made, and I rarely splurged.
Growing up the way that I did inspired me to learn to cook for myself – I never wanted to eat unappetizing food again. It also didn’t hurt in the dating department. That’s when I met Paula.
Paula was beautiful, and so full of life. She loved to dance, and laugh, and we hit it off right away. Paula was divorced, and in her previous marriage, she had felt stifled as a stay-at-home mother. She had five children ranging from the ages of six to sixteen. I had never been married or had a child. Where most guys would’ve run for the hills, I stayed around and helped to support the family. Our love was a whirlwind, and before we knew it, we had a daughter, got married, and then a big change.
Paula’s oldest daughter is an actress, and she had just gotten the opportunity of a lifetime. Paula was the Executive Producer, and her daughter, Melissa, was the star of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” Our lives changed drastically. Paula and I had to make a decision.
All of Paula’s dreams were about to come true. We packed the whole family up and moved from the east coast to Los Angeles. We decided that with Paula working as a producer that I would stay home with the children. It wasn’t a particularly difficult decision to make seeing as she now had the potential to make more money than I could ever dream of making as a hairstylist. So I would take the kids to school, clean the house, shop for groceries, take care of the garden, help the kids with homework, cook dinner, etc. Any stay-at-home parent will tell you that this is no easy task. It is hard work raising children, not to mention we now have seven. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love my life, and I love my wife, and I love my children.
Fast-forward 20 years: my youngest daughter was a senior in high school, and I was facing an empty nest for the first time since meeting my wife. I was watching an episode of FOX’s, “Masterchef” after cooking dinner, and Paula turned to me and said, “you could do that!” At first I shrugged it off, but the seed had already been planted. I asked myself, what’s the harm in trying out? After all, my kids’ friends always wanted to come over for my dinners, and I only ever heard compliments when I would cook for our dinner parties. So I did it. And then I got called back. And then I made top 100. And then top 30. And the rest is history.
But my journey is just beginning.
Deborah Hatchell
Sep 24, 2014 @ 17:41:30
Leslie – What a class act you are! Thanks for sharing your story. My husband, Jim, and I rooted for you the whole way through MC. We’ve been MC fans from the very first MC airing, and definitely enjoyed this past season. We had a sneaking suspicion that there was more to your story than you had shared. We get sooo tired of contestants who play a sob-story about their hard lives (if you’re alive long enough, you realize that everyone has a hard life…) as they try to win the favor of the judges. We love that you are ‘the real deal’. Thanks for this website/blog and sharing your recipes; and for sharing some personal glimpses of the relationship between you and Paula, and of your childhood challenges that most would paralyze many. Bravo!
Sean Cowan
Sep 24, 2014 @ 22:41:51
Leslie you are the best contestant ever on MC. Your no-nonsense hard working personality, wit and charm quickly grew on me. Watching all the seasons its hard to tell if someone’s personality is honest or not but clearly yours is legitimate. Have you considered opening a restaurant? I think you would do very well, not only is your food amazing but you have the perfect dedicated attitude to succeed as well! I’m aspiring to be a chef too and have tried for Masterchef Canada but haven’t been chosen, keeping my fingers crossed each season though. I know you’re a busy man but I would be honoured if you could look at the food photos on my website. Best of luck to you either way.
juley
Sep 25, 2014 @ 06:32:32
Wow Leslie so great to hear about your past and how far God has brought you….Loved watching Master chef just because you were in it!!! Good luck with all your future ventures and i love your blog:)
Denise Peak
Sep 25, 2014 @ 08:34:50
I met Samantha working at Malibu High in the library and cried the day she didn’t get to be president, we were great buddies, she is a very special girl.She sent me this on Facebook and it intrigued me I cooked for my family and worked full time but now that they are grown, I don’t cook much any more. I recently found out I’m going to be a grandma so I need to start practicing again. Please send her my News and good wishes to your beautiful family. Bon nuit. Denise
Heather
Sep 25, 2014 @ 17:18:41
Inspiring for sure!
Anh-Vu Do
Sep 26, 2014 @ 00:06:56
I liked you a whole lot in MC and after reading this blog, I LOVE YOU, MAN!!! I can’t wait to dive in deeper into your site and emulate your recipes!!!
Bella
Sep 28, 2014 @ 06:40:02
I absolutely loved you from the start of the show! Here is an older man, competing with the younger crowd, someone who the audience will not especially connect with right away because he is not in the high viewing range, a person that will play the game and tell it like it is, respectful and gentlemanly, my kind of person. AND you never let me down. The minute you lost I turned off the set because, for me, the show was over and it didn’t matter who “won”.
I am excited for what the future holds for you. Excited that you are out and about rubbing shoulders with high rated chefs. I can not imagine a network not scooping you up for your own show or at least hosting something – think fashion foodie like fashion police….
You have a lovely looking family… can’t wait to hear more on how you cope. Good luck…
Me Guerrero
Sep 29, 2014 @ 04:09:56
Leslie, I rooted for you and still am because MC5 is still showing here in Asia/Philippines. It should have been you in the last 2. You inspire me, as I’ve just recently decided to work from home and take care of my daughter. Thank you for coming out and showing the world that one can still have class and sophistication even without a ‘glamorous’ 8-5 job. Of all the contestants in MC5, you showed the world what a real gentleman means. More power to you and your family!
Dot
Oct 01, 2014 @ 16:13:37
I love you even more after reading this Leslie! You rock 🙂
Diana Ernst
Oct 02, 2014 @ 12:47:07
Love your new great site Leslie …… You are truly the Master Chef , Master Father and Master Husband , keep up the good work. …God is shining his love and light on you and your great family in Malibu… 🙂
Tracy Whitlatch
Oct 03, 2014 @ 13:08:52
We have enjoyed this year watching you on Masterchef and have rooted for you from the beginning. I have three sons and I am divorced. Learning all this about you and watching you this past season has been a great example for my boys. Thanks so much for being part of our home this season. (When you lost, we almost didn’t watch the rest of the season….we were so in hopes you would win.) On to bigger and better things. Best wishes.
Karin
Oct 03, 2014 @ 18:06:15
Thank you for showing the world that a person is not done at 56. You are an inspiration to those of us that still have things to share and voices to be heard. Bravo Les. Paula is a lucky woman!
Maryann Morrison
Oct 05, 2014 @ 10:01:41
All I can say is well done!!!! You know I have always looked up to you and admired all that you have accomplished in life. You never cease to amaze and inspire me!!