Foodies Unite! MASTERCHEF CANADA Finalists Revealed in Advance of Season 2 Premiere February 8 on CTV

– Home cook finalists include a retired pro-football player, rural veterinarian, recording artist, bus driver, and Canadian military veteran –
– Finalists compete to make it into the Top 16 for the chance to win a $100,000 cash prize and the title of the next Canadian MasterChef –
– Learn more about the MASTERCHEF CANADA judges and finalists at MasterChefCanada.CTV.ca, which has a brand-new look, and is also set to deliver over 80 exclusive videos throughout the season, as well as interviews and recipes fans can only find at CTV.ca –
– Final data reveals that MASTERCHEF CANADA: A HOLIDAY SPECIAL is the most-watched original Canadian holiday special in three years with 1.4 million viewers –

To tweet this release: http://bmpr.ca/1IkDKpQ #MasterChefCanada @MasterChefCDA

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - CTV revealed today the home cook finalists who are set to compete in the second blockbuster season of MASTERCHEF CANADA, airing Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT beginning Feb. 8 on CTV and CTV GO. Chosen from a selection of diverse food-loving applicants from regions across the country, the talented home cooks of all ages and backgrounds are set to experience the pressure cooker of auditions as they prepare a dish for acclaimed judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile. The selected Season 2 finalists put their heart – and signature dish – on a plate in the hopes of winning the $100,000 cash prize and the chance to be named Canada's next MasterChef.

The series will also stream on demand on CTV GO, and will encore Fridays at 9 p.m. ET beginning Feb. 13. on M3, Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET/PT beginning Feb. 14 on CTV Two, and Sundays at 5 p.m. ET/PT beginning Feb. 15 on CTV. Viewers can also enjoy the Season 1 cooking all over again, with the full season of MASTERCHEF CANADA available exclusively on CraveTV^TM.

"The first season of MASTERCHEF CANADA became an instant hit for CTV, and we're looking forward to introducing this new group of incredibly talented home cooks to the country at 7 p.m. on Sunday nights," said Phil King, President - CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming. "Coming from a variety of backgrounds, these home cooks all have the passion and drive necessary to bring home the MASTERCHEF CANADA trophy. Our viewers have a real foodie fight to look forward to this season."

**Media Note** – Download photos of the MASTERCHEF CANADA judges and Season 2 finalists at BellMediaPR.ca.

The finalists cooking for the MASTERCHEF CANADA title are:

• Afaf Roubi, a Stay-at-Home Mom from Thornhill, Ont.
• Andrew Al-Khouri, a Tax Officer from Halifax, N.S.
• Anh Nguyen, a Business Student from Ottawa, Ont.
• Ann Wilchynski, an Educational Assistant from Sherwood Park, Alta.
• Carmen Araiza, an Actress, Writer, and Spanish Dialect Coach from Toronto, Ont.
• Chris Mask, a Firefighter and Paramedic from Wahnapitae, Ont.
• Christopher Siu, a Pharmacy Student from Markham, Ont.
• Clarissa Diokno, an Academic Research Telephone Interviewer from Waterloo, Ont.
• Cody Karey, a Recording Artist from Vancouver, B.C.
• David Jorge, a Concrete Contractor from Surrey, B.C.
• Deanna Brown, a Stay-at-Home Mom from Milestone, Sask.
• Debbie MacDonald, a Special Needs Teacher from Port Hood, N.S.
• Debra Pangestu, a Public Relations Officer from Richmond, B.C.
• Gav Martell, a VP, Product Management from Thornhill, Ont.
• Georgio Theofilpoulos, a Florist and Travel Agent from Toronto, Ont.
• Holli Miller, a Bank Teller from Bolton, Ont.
• Ian Giebelhaus, a Rural Veterinarian from Rimbey, Alta.
• Inder Kambo, Real Estate Sales from Brampton, Ont.
• Jennie Kelusky, a Marketing Coordinator and Office Manager from Toronto, Ont.
• Jennifer Innis, a Dental Hygienist from Vernon, B.C.
• Jon Hameister-Ries, a Retired Pro Football Player and Financial Advisor from Vancouver, B.C.
• Kat Wolf, a Film and Music Producer from Montréal, Que.
• Kenya Hushagen, a Freelance Film and TV Wardrobe Stylist from Edmonton, Alta.
• Kevin Gregory, an Applications Engineer from Fredericton, N.B.
• Kristal Rice, a Hospital Administration Clerk from Gander, N.L.
• Kristen Dwyer, an Early Childhood Educator from Conception Bay South, N.L.
• Kwasi Douglas, a Community Facilitator from Ajax, Ont.
• Kyle McKenna, a Bartender from Paradise, N.L.
• Lauren Scheit, a Stay-at-Home Mom from Leduc, Alta.
• Line Pelletier, a Canadian Military Veteran and Computer Specialist from Moncton, N.B.
• Lisa Kacur, a Marketing Coordinator from Mississauga, Ont.
• Meg Tucker, a Radio Host from Red Deer, Alta.
• Michael Motamedi, an Entrepreneur from Toronto, Ont.
• Michelle 'Mishie' Gordiev, a Bus Driver from Winnipeg, MB
• Mina Tasic, a Pharmacist from Toronto, Ont.
• Mohit Sharma, an Event Manager and Personal Trainer from Whitby, Ont.
• Natalie Wallace, an Executive Assistant from Toronto, Ont.
• Nathan Young, Digital Media – Marketing from Toronto, Ont.
• Nikita Scringer, a Healthcare Sales Consultant from Calgary, Alta.
• Robert Mitchell, an HR Manager from Toronto, Ont.
• Sabrina Poirier, an Office Manager from Montréal, Que.
• Sebastien Champagne, a Graphic Designer from Montréal, Que.
• Shane Chagpar, an Engineer from Toronto, Ont.
• Shaunna Leinster, a Holistic Nutritionist from Brampton, Ont.
• Suzy Cui, a Casino Cashier Supervisor from Windsor, Ont.
• Taj Chohan, an Accountant from Oakville, Ont.
• Tammy Wood, a Retail Clerk from Agassiz, B.C.
• Ted Meisner, a Security Investigator from Ottawa, Ont.
• Ted Pechey, an Advertising Radio Sales and Volunteer Cooking Instructor from Prince Albert, Sask.

Following the initial rounds of the audition process, the premiere episode (Sunday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. ET/PT) finds the home cook finalists entering the most nerve-wracking first phase of the competition as they present their signature dish for tasting by judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile. Only those with the most impressive plates receive a coveted white apron and have the opportunity to reach the next level of the competition. In the second episode, airing Sunday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. ET/PT, the auditions continue, and the remaining home cooks battle it out to make it into the Top 16 of MASTERCHEF CANADA.

Visit the newly redesigned MasterChefCanada.CTV.ca for exclusive content throughout the season. Fans can find additional details about this season's finalists, and the MASTERCHEF CANADA judges, as well as exclusive interviews, recipes, and more. The site will also feature over 80 videos, which will be revealed throughout the season, covering everything from how-to's with the judges, to extended interviews with challenge winners, to exit interviews when home cooks leave the series. Viewers will also again have the opportunity to have their plating skills and impressive dishes to be judged by Michael Bonacini on Instagram. Starting each Monday following a new episode of MASTERCHEF CANADA, fans can upload photos of their dishes on Instagram using #MasterChefCanada, and each Friday the winners will be revealed.

MASTERCHEF CANADA quickly became a hit in its inaugural season, averaging 1.8 million viewers, becoming the most-watched Canadian series in the country for the 2013/14 broadcast season, and is the first and only homegrown series in more than a decade to land in the Top 10 list for A25-54 and A18-49. The successful first season of MASTERCHEF CANADA led to a first for the format internationally with MASTERCHEF CANADA: A HOLIDAY SPECIAL, which debuted on CTV on Dec. 15, 2014 to become the most-watched original Canadian holiday special in three years with 1.4 million viewers.

The MASTERCHEF format is represented internationally by Shine International, the sales and distribution arm of Shine Group, and is based on a format originally created by Franc Roddam.

MASTERCHEF CANADA is produced by Proper Television in association with CTV. President of Proper Television, Guy O'Sullivan is executive producer, along with Proper's Vice-President and Creative Director, Cathie James. Shine America's Paula Warwick is Creative Consultant. For Bell Media, Tina Apostolopoulos is Production Executive, Factual and Reality, Independent Production. Robin Johnston is Director, Factual and Reality, Independent Production. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil King is President - CTV, Sports, and Entertainment Programming.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:
#MasterChefCanada
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
@MasterChefCDA
Michael Bonacini – @MichaelBonacini
Alvin Leung – @TheDemonChef
Claudio Aprile – @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, MOTIVE, the record-breaking THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, and MASTERCHEF CANADA, as well as multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT, one of the most-watched new comedies in 2014. Among the scripted series on Bell Media pay and specialty channels are the three-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, dramedy SENSITIVE SKIN, and the upcoming KILLJOYS. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to hit factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL, COLD WATER COWBOYS, and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among others.

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 13 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: Numeris (BBM Canada), Sept 23, 2013 – May 25, 2014, final data, vs. equivalent weeks in previous years.

MASTERCHEF CANADA: A HOLIDAY SPECIAL aired Dec 15, 2014, final data.

CTV electronic audience databases and Top 20 records incorporate data beginning in 1994 and 2004, respectively. 

Audiences prior to August 31, 2009 based on BBM Nielsen Media Research Mark II meters.

SOURCE CTV

Tanya Koivusalo, CTV Networks, 416.384.2664 or [email protected]; Christy Sullivan, CTV Networks, 416.384.3624 or [email protected]; Meghan Hardy, Proper Television, 416.598.2500 x485 or [email protected]