MasterChef Contestant Tair Mordoch Shares Emotional Story of Childhood Friends Killed in Army

In a poignant moment on the new episode of MasterChef: Dream Team airing Monday on Keshet 12, contestant Tair Mordoch revealed a deeply personal story about losing two of her closest childhood friends, Chen Kinarti and Yaron Stein, who were killed while serving in the Israeli army. Tair described their bond as inseparable from infancy through adolescence, saying, "We were a trio, me, Chen Kinarti, and Yaron Stein. We spent countless hours together from the nursery until our youth." She shared how their deaths shaped her outlook on life, instilling a sense of urgency and a determination to live fully. "From a very young age, I understood I have no time to waste," she explained, recounting how this philosophy drives her to embrace life’s experiences to the fullest and encourages her daughters to do the same.

Tair is one of twelve returning contestants competing in this special season of MasterChef, which offers beloved participants from previous seasons a second chance to fulfill their culinary dreams. Alongside her are Jackie Azulai, Eden Harel, Gal Kaspers, Eliav Sasson, Manal Ismail, Aviva Pivko, Bar Levi, Costa Osdachi, Nissim Zlait, Danit Sofer, and Haim Cohen. The judges for the season include Michal Ansky, Eyal Shani, Yuval Ben Neriah, and Avi Biton.

Tair’s story highlights the personal histories and emotional depths behind the contestants, reminding viewers that each participant carries memories, losses, and hopes. As she faces the judges tonight, she does so not only for herself but also in memory of Chen and Yaron, who never had the chance to reach this stage.