Grassflat, PA- From the quiet streets of a tiny rural Pennsylvania town, where big dreams rarely get chased, a local couple has defied the odds—bringing a lifelong passion for cooking to the spotlight of one of television’s top culinary competitions.
Spencer and McKenna Folmar of Grassflat, PA were one of the few lucky couples to be chosen to compete in the newest season of MasterChef: Dynamic Duos.
For the first time in MasterChef history, pairs of home cooks compete for the top prize of $250,000. From married and dating couples, to mothers and daughters, siblings, best friends and even divorcees – relationships are tested in some of the toughest challenges to date. This season, Gordon Ramsay and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich return alongside new judge, award winning Chef Tiffany Derry.
Along with their beautiful 2 year-old daughter, Margaret, the family split their time between their home in Grassflat and their Los Angeles apartment. “Pennsylvania will always be home to us,” said Spencer, a successful independent film producer and director, has directed seven feature films and produced twelve. His most recent project is Saint Nick of Bethlehem, starring Daniel Roebuck. McKenna, who grew up in Florida, is a Cornell graduate, children’s author, and award winning wedding planner in Los Angeles.
Out of thousands of applicants and months of in-depth interviews and evaluations, this lucky couple was selected to compete in Season 15 of the popular competitive cooking show. “I never imagined we would actually get on,” said Spencer. “We kept advancing through the many rounds of the interview process and next thing we know we are on set with Gordon Ramsey.”
McKenna started cooking at a very young age. “I was 11 years old making dinner in my kitchen and talking to an imaginary camera,” explained McKenna. “I loved watching cooking shows. I would always watch them and dream of being on one.”
When Spencer and McKenna got married in 2021, she shared her love for watching cooking shows (namely MasterChef) with him. “I had no idea how much she loved cooking shows until our honeymoon,” Spencer laughed, admitting he’d never even watched a cooking show before that moment.
McKenna is a self-taught cook who honed her skills by watching cooking shows throughout her lifetime. She describes cooking as both her favorite hobby and pastime. When she was little, she watched every cooking show she could. She loves to bake, especially after a stressful day. “You can tell how bad my day was based on the amount of pies I bake,” laughed McKenna. Although never attending culinary school, McKenna completed a Pasta Making Class in Rome with Spencer by her side.
“We really love cooking together and we do it quite often,” explained Spencer. “She is a great cook and she has made me a better cook.”
One day while McKenna was scrolling instagram, she saw a post from Gordan Ramsey about auditions for the next season of MasterChef. Feeling brave and bold, she took a leap of faith and applied for the show.
Pursuing a dream can be intimidating, but Spencer encouraged McKenna to take the leap, giving her the extra push she needed to follow a lifelong dream. McKenna explains that their relationship has made her more courageous, especially with Spencer’s encouragement.
“Some people had been applying for years and finally got cast on the show, so to be picked on our first try, we felt so lucky,” said McKenna. “We screamed, laughed, cried and jumped around. It was the biggest celebration I ever had!”
When Spencer and McKenna Folmar walked onto the Masterchef set for the first time, the moment was nothing more than surreal and euphoric. “We didn’t get to see the set until cameras were rolling,” said Spencer. “So when you watch the first episode and see our reactions to seeing the set for the first time, that is real.”
Something that caught them by surprise was how friendly every contestant was. Unlike other competitive shows, there was no cutthroat competition. “The comradery behind the scenes, even though we were all competing, felt like a family,” said Spencer. “We would all hang out on off days and we still keep in touch.”
According to the Folmars, Gordon Ramsay has mellowed with age. Far from the fiery persona he’s famous for, they described him as super kind, lovely, and sweet.
The couple describes the competition as very intense. “The 30 minutes in the cook off is real,” explained Spencer. “The clock doesn’t stop, and if something doesn’t go as planned you still have to finish and present your dish in time. Those 30 minutes felt like only 3 and the pressure was intense.”
Although it was exciting to be on the show, there were definitely some stressful moments as well. “Cooking in front of Gordan Ramsey is such a surreal and amazing experience, but also we are thinking ‘Oh my gosh, Gordon Ramsey is going to eat our food’,” said McKenna.
An obstacle they encountered while on set was using different cooking tools and appliances than they were used to. “The stove and pans worked differently than mine, so it was a learning curve on a television show with Gordan Ramsey standing in front of you,” said McKenna.
“An unforgettable moment from the show- other than meeting Gordan Ramsey in person- was when the clock stopped and I looked at Spencer and said ‘Oh my gosh, we did it!’ Our plate looked so beautiful.”
Although McKenna’s lifelong dream was to appear on a cooking show, competing alongside her husband made it even more special. “There wasn’t a moment in the day where I wasn’t glad Spencer was with me,” said McKenna.
“It was a really great experience, especially for me”, said Spencer. “I learned a lot from the judges and in the preparation for the show and have a real appreciation for cooking.”
MasterChef: Dynamic Duos premiered on FOX on May 21 with audition battles where couples go head to head for the coveted white aprons. Spencer and McKenna, who didn’t appear until Episode 2, cooked Fried Chicken with Southern Green Beans and Mashed Potatoes with Herb Gravy. Unfortunately, they did not advance to the next round.
However, Spencer and McKenna will appear in the “Second Chance Battles” episode as they come back for another chance to earn the white aprons. The duos who failed to get white aprons during the audition round get a surprise second chance to convince the judges that they deserve the white aprons by making not one, but three identical restaurant worthy dishes. Only four duos will redeem themselves and join the top eight winners, securing a prized place in the Top 12. Tune in this Wednesday, June 4 at 8 p.m. EST on FOX and streaming on Hulu.
The support from their hometown hasn’t gone unnoticed. “We appreciate everyone who has reached out to us and shared our experience on social media. It is so nice to have such a welcoming hometown,” said Spencer.
Spencer and McKenna would like to give a shoutout to Spencer’s parents- Leesa and Tom Folmar- who allowed them to use their kitchen in preparation for the show, and Spencer’s sister, Amber, who babysat their daughter during the filming of the show.
MasterChef All-Stars Live Tour
MasterChef All-Stars Live!, a new high-energy stage show featuring winners and fan favorites from the hit competition series, MASTERCHEF. This family-friendly experience brings fans and foodies the excitement of the TV show to a LIVE stage with head-to-head cooking demonstrations and thrilling challenges. Audience members will have the chance to participate, helping the famous chefs create and taste-test their culinary delights. The tour kicks off in Williamsport, PA on September 16, 2025 and will travel to 30 additional cities across the U.S., including Brooklyn, Detroit, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco and more. Featuring a cast of celebrated chefs from past seasons, audiences will enjoy candid conversations with favorite all-stars about the thrill of competing in America’s famous kitchen under the scrutiny of the toughest judges. Plus, fans will get insider tips and tricks to apply in their own home kitchens. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mastercheflivetour.com
Dates in PA – September 16 (Williamsport) and September 25 (Philadelphia)
