- Kraft Canada Inc. announced as Premier Sponsor -
To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/17LyObK #MCC @MasterChefCDA
TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - As the most successful reality series in
Canadian history ends its first season, CTV announced today the start
of production and judges for the first-ever MASTERCHEF CANADA. After an international search for the best Canadian chefs, the final
trio of elite Canadians selected to judge the series includes debonair and renowned restaurateur Michael Bonacini, self-proclaimed
'Demon Chef' and international culinary superstar Alvin Leung, and
charming creative force Claudio Aprile. MASTERCHEF CANADA is coming to CTV winter 2014.
It was also announced today that Kraft has signed on as the premiere
sponsor for all 15 episodes of the all-Canadian version of the hit
culinary franchise. Additional details including the grand prize and
roster of home cooks will be announced closer to the series premiere in
winter 2014. Production continues in Toronto through October 2013.
The announcement comes as MASTERCHEF finishes its fourth season on CTV
as the #2 reality program of the summer with an average audience of 1.9
million viewers, behind only THE AMAZING RACE CANADA. With an audience
increase of 15% from last season, the MASTERCHEF finale leads into the
premiere of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR this Friday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV.
**Media Note** Download artwork for MASTERCHEF CANADA at http://bellmediapr.ca/Network/CTV/Masterchef-Canada
"We couldn't be more excited to launch a uniquely Canadian edition of
this hit international format featuring such talented judges," said
Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. "These amazing chefs
bring both local flavour and international flare to MASTERCHEF CANADA."
"Canada is full of foodies who love to eat, cook, and create," said Guy
O'Sullivan, Executive Producer of MASTERCHEF CANADA and President of
Proper Television. "This show is the perfect platform to showcase all
of the incredible talent that has been hiding in kitchens across the
country. And having Michael, Alvin and Claudio here to mentor, teach
and judge these home cooks is going to bring this show to a whole other
level."
About Michael Bonacini:
Michael Bonacini is the co-founder of one of Canada's leading fine dining restaurant
companies, Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants, operating 11 unique and
innovative restaurants in Ontario. Bonacini trained classically under
Chef Anton Mosimann at London's Dorchester Hotel before immigrating to
Canada in 1985 and partnering with veteran restaurateur Peter Oliver in
1993. His first restaurant collaboration with Oliver was a New
York-style bistro named Jump. Nineteen years later, their operations
have grown to include à la carte dining, quick service, catering, group
dining and special events, as well as an artisan bakery and chocolate
shop.
"I have accomplished so much in my years as a chef and entrepreneur, but
to be a judge on MASTERCHEF CANADA is an extraordinary opportunity that
I am honoured to be a part of," said Bonacini. "I hope to gain as much
as I can from this experience and learn from it just as much as the
home cooks will."
About Alvin Leung:
Alvin Leung, one of only two self-taught Michelin-starred chefs in the world, is a
professionally trained engineer who takes a methodical approach to
every dish he presents. As owner of the acclaimed modern Chinese
restaurant Bo Innovation in Hong Kong and Bo London, England, Leung has
single-handedly created a new taste sensation and established himself
as one of the world's top culinary innovators. His restaurants have
wowed diners and critics by modernizing centuries-old traditional
ingredients and recipes with modern techniques and flavours. Born in
London, England, Leung grew up in Scarborough, Ont. and remains a
dedicated hockey fan and Toronto Maple Leaf supporter.
"Having grown up in Toronto, I am very grateful and proud to be
returning home to join MASTERCHEF CANADA," said Alvin Leung." "I plan
to teach and assist the home cooks, while giving them some tough love."
About Claudio Aprile:
Owner of the growing Orderfire Restaurant Group including Toronto's
acclaimed Origin brand restaurants, Claudio Aprile was born in Uruguay and grew up in Toronto. Throughout his 30-year
career, Aprile has passed through some of the most renowned kitchens
around the globe including Bali Sugar in London, and Senses in Toronto. His first restaurant, Colborne Lane, has been lauded as one
of the best restaurants in the world. Central to Aprile's success is
his dedication to creativity, and drive to expertly deliver the
unexpected.
"I am most looking forward to mentoring the home cooks, and watching
them grow in technique and skill," said Aprile. "I am very grateful to
be in a position, where I can now give back to my profession."
It was also announced today that Kraft Canada is the premier sponsor of MASTERCHEF CANADA. The sponsorship will deliver customized integrations that organically
integrate Kraft Canada brands into the program. In turn, Kraft Canada
will also produce a series of branded content pieces that will be
inspired by dishes featured in the series. The Kraft brands and Kraft what's cooking community of busy home cooks are the perfect alignment for MASTERCHEF CANADA, a series that rewards and showcases the home cook.
"It's a match made in the kitchen… an opportunity to engage with
Canadians across the country and touch their hearts, minds and
tantalize their appetites," said Kraft Canada's Director of Media,
Suzanne Ware. "Working with MASTERCHEF CANADA was a natural fit for our
many iconic brands and Kraft what's cooking media properties, as we strive every day to deliver inspiring creative
confidence in the kitchen."
This first season of MASTERCHEF CANADA features the exciting, competitive challenges for which MASTERCHEF is
renowned. In one of the challenges, the home cook teams work against
the clock to prepare a cheesy meal in the Kraft Food Truck Challenge.
On Friday, Oct. 11, Toronto food lovers are invited to join the teams at Nathan Phillips
Square to indulge in either an Italian or Mexican dish using KRAFT
shredded cheese, and made in the tight quarters of one of the latest
culinary crazes - a Food Truck.
MASTERCHEF CANADA provides an opportunity for Canadian amateur cooks to develop their
culinary skills as they compete for the MasterChef Canada title. In
keeping with the MASTERCHEF format, contestants will face individual
and team-based cooking challenges, resulting in home cooks being
eliminated each week, until finally, Canada's first-ever MasterChef is
crowned. MASTERCHEF is recognized as one of the most-successful primetime entertainment
formats in the world. Now produced in over 40 countries, the series is
watched in more than 200 territories worldwide.
President of Proper Television, Guy O'Sullivan executive produces MASTERCHEF CANADA, along with Proper's Vice-President and Creative Director Cathie James.
Shine America's Paul Franklin along with Judy Smart are Creative
Consultants. Robin Johnston is the CTV Production Executive. Corrie Coe
is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike
Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil
King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Twitter:
@MasterChefCDA
#MasterChefCDA
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
@MichaelBonacini
@TheDemonChef
@ClaudioAprile
@KraftCanada
Facebook:
facebook.com/ctv
facebook.com/whatscooking
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, the #1 new Canadian
scripted series of the 2012/13 season, and THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the
record-breaking, Canadian-produced complementary version of the hit
international series. CTV is also home to relationship comedy
SATISFACTION, and premiering in the 2013/14 season are drama series
PLAYED, multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT, and hit international format
MASTERCHEF CANADA. Among the scripted series on Bell Media pay and
specialty channels are the two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, the recently renewed ORPHAN BLACK, CSA-winning
CALL ME FITZ, and upcoming dramas BITTEN, SENSITIVE SKIN, and 19-2.
Bell Media specialty channels are also home to reality series such as
BRAVE NEW GIRL, game shows MATCH GAME and POP QUIZ, and factual series
HIGHWAY THRU HELL and CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, among others. So far in
2013, Bell Media has ordered 24 original Canadian series and put 67
projects into development.
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, COME DINE WITH ME CANADA, and FOUR WEDDINGS CANADA. 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, and digital. Bell
Media is part of 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.
About Kraft Foods Group
Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: KRFT) is one of North America's largest
consumer packaged food and beverage companies, with annual revenues of
more than $18 billion. With the spirit of a startup and the soul of a
powerhouse, Kraft has an unrivaled portfolio of products in the
beverages, cheese, refrigerated meals and grocery categories. Its
iconic brands include Kraft, Maxwell House, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters, Velveeta, Capri Sun, JELL-O and Lunchables. Kraft's 23,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada have a passion for
making the foods and beverages people love. Kraft is a member of the
Standard & Poor's 500 and the NASDAQ-100 indices. For more
information, visit www.kraft.com and www.facebook.com/kraft.
SOURCE CTV
