'MasterChef' greenlights auditions for Asian edition

MANILA - The international cooking reality show hit "MasterChef" is making its way to Asia and is opening its doors for region-wide auditions.

A+E Networks Asia announced that "MasterChef Asia" is set to air on cable channel Lifetime later this year.

To be handled by Endemol Southeast Asia, the 15-episode show will be shot in Singapore featuring three judges that are yet to be revealed.

Interested participants are called to send in video auditions through masterchefasia.com until March 5, 2015.

Prem Kamath, A+E Networks Asia-Pacific deputy managing director, said the project marks an important milestone for the network.

“'MasterChef Asia' marks an important milestone for A+E Networks Asia," she said. “The series is our most significant local commission to date and is a sign of our commitment to the Asian production community."

Lynette Pang, Singapore Tourism Board assistant chief executive, added that they are looking forward to seeing the dishes contestants from all over Asia will prepare for the show.

"Even as we celebrate our multi-cultural culinary heritage, this new series will help highlight a new generation of future Asian and Singaporean MasterChefs," Pang said.

"Against the backdrop of our vibrant cityscape and culinary gems such as hawker centers and celebrity chef restaurants, viewers can look forward to a showcase of Singapore’s best culinary delights today.”

"MasterChef Asia" is presented by the Singapore Tourism Board and Knorr, in association with Panasonic and Changi Airport Group.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Gay contestant out of 'MasterChef PH'

MANILA, Philippines -- Contestant Gian Espadera has cooked his last dish on "MasterChef Pinoy Edition."

On Tuesday's episode of the hit reality cooking show, Espadera, who's also the show's youngest contestant, was failed to impress the chef-judges with his longganisa dish.

"Simula noong edition ko sa Davao gusto ko maging proud sa akin ang tatay ko. Ngayon po ini-enjoy ko na lang. Nae-excite ako sa sarili ko kung ano pa ang pwede kong ilabas, maraming salamat po talaga," said Espadera, who is also gay.

Last week, Sonny Boy Tuazon or Darak King returned to "MasterChef Pinoy Edition" as an official finalist after he won the challenges in the show's wildcard week.

Below are the nine finalists who are left to compete for the P1-million cash prize and culinary scholarship.

1. Carla Marcaida, 40, a businesswoman from Bulacan

2. Ronnel Torres, 30, a sari-sari store owner from Pampanga

3. Mac Serrano, 29, an ex-seaman from Tarlac

4. JR Royol, 29, a band vocalist from Benguet

5. Reggie Apolinario, 30, a call center agent from Laguna

6. Sonny Boy Tuazon, 24, from Bataan

7. Myra Santos, 31, an accounting associate from Muntinlupa

8. Maureen Angala, 33, a housewife from Muntinlupa

9. Ivory Yat, 26, a nurse from Quezon City

"MasterChef Pinoy Edition" airs on weekdays before the hit daytime soap"Be Careful With My Heart," while "MasterChef Saturdish Edition" with Melai Cantiveros and former "Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 4" housemates Joj and Jai Agpangan airs every Saturday.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

'MasterChef Pinoy Edition' bares Top 16 finalists

MANILA - After months of searching for the country's best home cooks, ABS-CBN's "MasterChef Pinoy Edition" on Thursday completed the show's Top 16 finalists.

The 16 contestants will now compete for the P1-million cash prize.






Below are the show's official Top 16 finalists:

1. Carla Marcaida, 40, businesswoman from Bulacan.
2. Betty Bais, 43, house helper from Cebu.
3. Sonny Boy Tuzon, 34, unemployed from Bataan.
4. Lito Dulva, 34, police officer from Sorsogon.
5. Reggie Apolinario, 30, call center agent from Laguna.

6. Gian Espadera, 20, Human Resource Management student from Davao.
7. Myra Santos, 31, accounting associate from Muntinlupa.
8. Maureen Angala, 33, housewife from Muntinlupa.
9. Ivory Yat, 26, nurse from Quezon City.
10. Ronnel Torres, 30, sari-sari store owner from Pampanga.

11. Melissa Gutierrez, 51, marketing director from
Quezon City.
12. Cons Osorio, 30, interior designer from San Juan City.
13. Lilibeth Nicolas, 31, house helper from Quezon City.
14. JR Royol, 29, band vocalist from Benguet.
15. Malou Caiña, 41, branch supervisor from Cagayan de Oro.
16. Mac Serrano, 29, ex-seaman from Tarlac.

The "MasterChef" franchise is from the U.K. show. The American version stars celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

"MasterChef Pinoy Edition" with chef-judges Fern Aracama, Rolando Laudico and JP Anglo and host-judge Judy Ann Santos airs weekdays before "Be Careful With My Heart."

Meanwhile,"MasterChef Saturdish Edition" airs on Saturdays with Melai Cantiveros and former "Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 4" housemates Joj and Jai Agpangan.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Judai proud of 'MasterChef' kitchen

"Umagang Kay Ganda" on Tuesday took viewers on a tour of the new kitchen of "MasterChef Pinoy Edition," which started airing this week. According to show's host Judy Ann Santos, the kitchen has everything that the MasterChef hopefuls need to perform their tasks. "Dito nagluluto ang mga MasterChef kusineros at kusineras. Nandiyan yung mga pangangailangan nila, 'yung flour at 'yung apat na ingredients na palaging kailangan at siyempre pots and pans, chopping board, water. Nandiyan din 'yung timer natin na pinaka-pinakakabahan ng mga contestants natin," Santos said. "MasterChef Pinoy Edition" airs weekdays before "Be Careful With My Heart." Umagang Kay Ganda, November 13, 2012

source: abs-cbnnews.com

MasterChef's Joe Bastianich Blogs: Stacey Is a 'Top Contender'

On Monday's episode of MasterChef, our top 12 contestants faced off in another team challenge in Venice Beach, Calif. Venice Beach may be L.A.'s most laid back neighborhood, but that does not mean the locals don't take their food seriously – food trucks are huge here! With Stacey being the big winner from last week, she was given advantageous task of splitting her fellow competitors into three groups of four, and showed us that she came to play.


I've got to hand it to Stacey. She's taking the competition seriously and has really stepped up these last few weeks – not bad for someone who initially didn't get past the audition round. Her strategy was sharp and cunning, and for the most part, her plan paid off. I love how she did whatever it took to get more people in her line – it ultimately secured her team the win, and tells me she can hack it in the real world of running a restaurant. For me, she's become a top contender.

Where Stacey is one to watch for all the right reasons, David Martinez is turning into a prime example of what not to do. I've said it over and over again – working in this industry requires teamwork. If you can't be an efficient member in a productive kitchen, you have no place here.

And where was Monti's temper when we truly needed it? This was her day to explode, not back at the Radisson. David can deny it all he wants, but it's all on tape baby – the yellow team was sans burgers for the first 15 minutes of the challenge, and guess who was in charge of cooking them. Watching him attempt to weasel out it was cringe worthy. I wish the footage of customers demanding new burgers wasn't left on the cutting room floor. Of course David said he made a high number of burgers – he had to remake a number of them after putting the first ones out raw! At this stage of the game it was really inexcusable for the judges to have to work the crowd in line for burgers, practically begging them not to leave.

Anna's disbelief in her team's loss was also little unsettling. She's a kind and sweet person, and puts out some amazing dishes, but a leader she isn't. I'm sure it wasn't easy with Baby Huey behind the grill, but a leader can't be afraid to get tough and take control, and her inability to do so paved the way for her departure.

The journey continues Tuesday (9 p.m. ET) on Fox as our remaining 11 home cooks face another mystery-box challenge – and the pressure of cooking alongside a Michelin Star Chef! Thanks for reading! And for more inside insights, follow @jbastianich on Twitter.

source: people.com