End of MasterChef just a beginning for Gandolfo

NORTH CANAAN — It’s all over, but there’s no crying for Jake Gandolfo.

The North Canaan native and, until last week, contestant on the FOX TV reality cooking show MasterChef, made it almost to the end — and he did it with great style.

The show has been on air in recent weeks but was taped earlier this year. After it was over, Gandolfo gave up his career in  construction work and opened a catering business in California, where he now lives.

The judges, of course, didn’t know that during the taping, and encouraged him to keep cooking after he was eliminated.

Judge and host Gordon Ramsay said he was upset (although he use a somewhat choicer word) that Gandolfo and contestant Lee Knaz were up for elimination, during the episode that aired on Sept. 1.

After telling Gandolfo his time was up on the show, Ramsay said, “You have been a huge source of inspiration. And do you know what? Stay away from construction, because you are a talented guy.�

MasterChef Graham Elliot (a judge on the show), who supported Gandolfo all along in his run from a standout in a crowd of 50,000 auditioners to one of the top nine contestants, said, “I stuck my neck out for you, and I would do it again in a second. I think you’ve done an incredible job. You’ve got a ton of potential.�

It was a pasta dish that undid Gandolfo in the end. Ramsay remarked that the dish, prepared in very short order in the elimination round, was the “first really clumsy dish I’ve seen him cook.�

But even if the show is over, this isn’t the end for Gandolfo. He’s said from the beginning that he came to learn. And learn he did.

One skill he seemed to have brought along with him, though, was an ability to charm viewers. Gandolfo had an easy confidence on air, and it earned him legions of fans. Many of those new fans here in the Northwest Corner didn’t even realize at first that Gandolfo grew up here and is the son of North Canaan resident and former Selectman Nancy Gandolfo.

Any fans disappointed that Gandolfo didn’t make it all the way should take comfort in knowing that he’s finding success as a caterer, and already building a great reputation.