CTV Orders A Second Helping of Hit Series MASTERCHEF CANADA; Casting Now Open for Season 2

- Tasting titans Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile return as judges for Season 2 -
- Canadian MasterChef hopefuls can now apply online at ctv.ca/masterchefcanada -
- MASTERCHEF CANADA is Canada's #1 new reality series and most-watched Canadian series, winning its timeslot with an average audience of 1.7 million viewers -

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TORONTO, April 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Canadians are hungry for more MASTERCHEF CANADA! CTV announced today a Season 2 order for its hit culinary competition series MASTERCHEF CANADA for the 2014/2015 broadcast season. Currently airing Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and with two episodes remaining, Season 1 of MASTERCHEF CANADA has a season-to-date average audience of 1.7 million viewers, making it the #1 new reality series of the season and among the Top 3 new programs on Canadian television overall this season. Consistently winning its timeslot in Canada on Monday nights, MASTERCHEF CANADA is the most-watched Canadian series of the 2013/2014 broadcast season.

CTV also confirmed today its fan-favourite Canadian judges are back for a second helping: Michael Bonacini, renowned for his exacting taste and the refined creator of a high-end restaurant empire; Michelin-starred and wildly innovative enfant terrible, Alvin Leung; and celebrated champion of nuance and flavour, Claudio Aprile. The series will once again be produced by Proper Television, with Shine International as the worldwide distributor. Production on Season 2 set to begin this fall.

Casting for Season 2 is now open at ctv.ca/masterchefcanada. Canadian home cooks have until 11:59 p.m. ET on July 13, 2014 to apply online. Interviews are by invitation only, and applicants are encouraged to apply early to meet producers when they are in their region. Casting will close with an Open Casting Call in Toronto on July 12-13, 2014, with more details to come. MASTERCHEF CANADA is looking for passionate and talented home cooks who want to pursue a culinary dream.

"Even with the finale still to come in Season 1, Canadian viewers have made it clear that they can't get enough MASTERCHEF CANADA," said Phil King, President - CTV, Sports, an‎d Entertainment Programming. "The dynamic challenges and intensity of the MASTERCHEF format combined with a distinct Canadian flavour have made the show irresistible to viewers from coast-to-coast-to-coast."

MASTERCHEF CANADA provides an opportunity for Canadian amateur cooks to develop their culinary skills as they compete for the MasterChef Canada title. Following the traditional MASTERCHEF format, MASTERCHEF CANADA's initial audition rounds consist of a number of home cooks from across the country presenting a food dish to the judges to gain one of the coveted semifinalist spots. Competitors must be true amateurs who have a true passion for food and cooking. The semi-finalists then compete in challenges which test their food knowledge, cooking techniques and creativity. The most successful home cooks rise to the top through individual mystery box challenges, off-site team challenges and demanding and suspense-filled pressure tests, until the ultimate Canadian MasterChef is crowned.

Throughout this series, the MASTERCHEF CANADA judges inspire these Canadian home cooks to hone their existing culinary skills and to elevate the taste and presentation of their dishes to a professional level. The judges mentor the home cooks, encouraging each cook to the be the best that they can be, in their quest to become Canada's next MasterChef.

Season 1 of MASTERCHEF CANADA airs Mondays at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CT on CTV and CTV GO (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times). Past episodes are available on demand at CTV.ca and the CTV GO app.

MASTERCHEF is noted as one of the world's most successful primetime entertainment formats. Now produced locally in over 40 countries, the series is watched in more than 200 territories worldwide.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
@MasterChefCDA
#MCC
@MichaelBonacini
@TheDemonChef
@ClaudioAprile

Facebook:
facebook.com/ctv
facebook.com/MasterChefCDA

Instagram:
@MasterChefCDA

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, THE LISTENER, MOTIVE, and THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the record-breaking, Canadian-produced complementary version of the hit international series. New to CTV in 2014 are hit international format MASTERCHEF CANADA and multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT, one of the most-watched new comedies of the season. Among the scripted series on Bell Media pay and specialty channels are the two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, the internationally acclaimed ORPHAN BLACK, the most-watched original series in Space history BITTEN, Bravo's most-watched new drama 19-2, TRANSPORTER: THE SERIES, and upcoming dramas SENSITIVE SKIN, and KILLJOYS. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to hit factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among others. In 2013, Bell Media ordered 27 original Canadian series and currently has 84 projects in various stages of development.

About Shine International:
Shine International is the sales and distribution arm of Shine Group and focuses on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and non-scripted formats and tape. The company distributes programming from Shine Group's growing library of programming along with an array of programming acquired from independent producers and major primetime broadcasters, to more than 150 countries worldwide. Shine International is a leader in handling global rights to unscripted formats including The Biggest Loser (airing in 30 countries), One Born Every Minute, Minute To Win It, Clash of the Choirs and MasterChef, which is now licensed in over 40 countries and airs in 200 territories; and a scripted catalogue that boasts the critically-acclaimed Broadchurch, Utopia and In the Flesh, new sit-com Vicious and the Shine America and FX co-production of The Bridge.
www.shineinternational.com

About Proper Television
Proper Television is a leading provider of factual entertainment, reality, documentary and docu-dramas for Canadian, American, and International markets. Headed by former BBC director Guy O'Sullivan, Proper Television has earned a distinguished reputation for creating original series and hit versions of international formats including CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, MASTERCHEF CANADA, COME DINE WITH ME CANADA, and DON'T DRIVE HERE. Proper Television's shows and formats are sold internationally by newly formed Proper Distribution.

About CTV
CTV is Canada's #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada's most-watched television network for the past 12 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network's website at CTV.ca.

SOURCE: CTV

Tanya Koivusalo, CTV, 416.384.2664 or [email protected]
Carolyn Fell, CTV, 416.384.2817 or [email protected]