Tag Archives: Masterchef Canada

From a media release:

CTV, in association with Proper Television, announced today that production has begun on MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH. The all-new, thirty-episode, half-hour series will air on CTV, Gusto, and ultimately stream on demand from the new CTV Super Hub, as part of the new lifestyle brand, CTV Life.

MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH features Canada’s culinary sweetheart and MASTERCHEF CANADA Season 3 winner Mary Berg as she shares her delicious twists on home-cooked classics inspired by her family and friends. The series, produced by Proper Television, is currently shooting in Toronto and will premiere as part of CTV’s 2019 midseason schedule. MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH is currently available for customized brand partnership opportunities.

Mary Berg has spent most of her life cooking and baking for those she loves and building a strong appreciation for the connective powers of beautiful, home-cooked food. In each episode of MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH, she demonstrates her culinary skill and creativity with three to four original recipes – inspired by someone who has made a meaningful impact on her life. The resulting meal is like an edible love letter for family members and close friends. We’ll hear about the memories that motivated her menu choices as she guides viewers clearly through her recipes, offering up plenty of illuminating tips, and take-aways.

Mary Berg’s meteoric culinary journey took off after capturing the Season 3 title of MASTERCHEF CANADA. She can be seen regularly as a food expert on CTV’s YOUR MORNING and THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW and can be found developing recipes for shows, food, beverage brands, and her blog A Small Stove. Berg has also started working on her first of two cookbooks to be released in September 2019 and Spring/Summer 2021.

MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH is produced by Proper Television (MASTERCHEF CANADA). Cathie James, Allison Grace, and Lesia Capone serve as Executive Producers and Garrett Wintrip as Series Producer.

Masterchef Canada

CTV dishes out a sixth season of hit culinary series MasterChef Canada

August 8, 2018 Greg David

From a media release:

Following MASTERCHEF CANADA’s youngest-ever winner, Beccy Stables being crowned earlier this summer, CTV announced today Season 6 of its hit culinary competition series MASTERCHEF CANADA for the 2018/2019 broadcast season. Casting for passionate home cooks looking to follow their food dreams is now open at CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada, with production set to begin this fall in Toronto on a new 12-episode season from Proper Television.

Marking a return to the MASTERCHEF CANADA Kitchen are distinguished Canadian judges Michael Bonacini (O&B restaurant empire), Alvin Leung (Bo Innovation in Hong Kong), and Claudio Aprile (Copetin Restaurant & Bar). The esteemed trio are poised to once again mentor and challenge everyday Canadian home cooks to elevate their cooking and presentation skills to a professional level, as they compete in high-stakes cooking challenges to secure the MASTERCHEF CANADA title and take home a $100,000 cash prize.

Canadians maintain a strong appetite for MASTERCHEF CANADA. A Top 15 program on Canadian television with all key demos this past spring, Season 5 of MASTERCHEF CANADA averaged 1.2 million total viewers weekly.

Casting for Season 6 of MASTERCHEF CANADA is now open at CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada. Passionate and talented Canadian home cooks hungry for an opportunity to capture the life-changing title of Canada’s next MasterChef have until Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. ET to apply online. Further to online casting submissions, invitation-only auditions will be held across Canada this summer, so home cooks are encouraged to get their applications in soon. In addition, an in-person Open Casting Call will be held in Toronto on Sunday, Sept. 30 – for more information, visit CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada.

Viewers can relive all the culinary action from the MASTERCHEF CANADA Kitchen with Season 5 episodes available on demand at CTV.ca, CTV GO app. Season 5 is also available on CraveTV™ and airing Mondays at 7 p.m. ET on Gusto.

The MASTERCHEF format and finished programmes are represented internationally by Endemol Shine Group, and is based on a format originally created by Franc Roddam.

MASTERCHEF CANADA is produced by Proper Television in association with CTV. Proper’s Co-President Cathie James is the Executive Producer and Showrunner and Co-President Lesia Capone is Executive Producer.

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Comments and queries for the week of July 6

July 6, 2018 Greg David

On Monday, July 2, Michael made a stuffed dessert with filo dough and he made them in half moon shape. I did not get the name but would like the recipe. Thanks. —Virginia

Hi Virginia. Here’s the link to the sweet half-moon pastries recipe Michael Bonacini made on a recent episode of Bonacini’s Italy. Enjoy!

I am a 76-year-old living in northern Canada. I have been watching Daily Planet since cable arrived at my residence many years ago and watching it at midnight as a “cool down” to the day. I am extremely disappointed that the show has been cancelled. I suspect not much in the way of financing has been provided to the show as of late. I thought that Bell and other TV providers were supposed to bring a percentage of Canadian perspective to channels. So what is to replace it to provide that? Enough of U.S. reality shows. Unfortunately, all my telecommunications are provided by Bell subsidiaries and difficult to abandon. —Richard

I agree with ALL! Bell has been nothing but a pain in my rear and this show was the perfect relaxing thing my family of six had at the PERFECT time of the evening. Great job Daily Planet cast, and—sarcastically—great job Bell and broadcasters. —Justin

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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Comments and queries for the week of June 22

June 22, 2018 Greg David 1 Comment

Oh my! My husband and I are so happy for Beccy [winning MasterChef Canada]. She worked so hard and stayed calm but showed grit and determination. I was so stressed I couldn’t watch it so waited till today to find out. Hopefully, we can taste her cooking in the near future. Way to go!! —Anne

Team Beccy, all the way. She was strong from the start and yet so shy. —Dale

I was extremely disappointed! Yes, Beccy is amazing for a 19-year-old but she did not deserve the win. How is it you can serve burnt, inconsistent food and still win? I too saw the writing on the wall for her win weeks ago during with the showdown with Eugene. I too will not watch again. It seems a popularity contest than a cooking show. —Susan

Great choice. Pretty amazing for a 19-year-old and she earned it. She worked for that win and it was not handed to her. Congrats to her. —Sandy

I was rooting for Beccy right from the first episode. She went about her business quietly and didn’t brag nor did she make any disparaging comments about her fellow competitors. You’ve nowhere to go but up, Beccy! Sincere best wishes for your future. —Judy

Becky: first one in her family to finish high school, never been in a fancy restaurant, had never seen most of the ingredients but so talented that I cannot understand any negative comments here. Andy was also a great cook but I agree 100 per cent with the judges that Becky is the winner! Congratulations Becky! —Zoka

Am very pleased that Beccy won you could see from the very first show that she was a gifted chef. —Sharon

I disagree with some of the comments made that Beccy’s win was predictable and that she was given more airtime. I thought Andy had more airtime than her. I believe it was neck in neck between Beccy and Andy until the very end. Beccy won because she had the slight edge over Andy due to her innovative cooking style and smartness. Congrats Beccy! I hope to taste your cooking one day!!! —Joseph

Most definitely agree Beccy was forecasted to win based on her story, age, and the airtime she was given. She kept her cool each week and appears to be born to cook. I liked Andy’s dishes better in the finale but know he will do well in his own restaurant without the added benefit of winning the title. Both were great competitors and exuded a lot of class. —Tunie

Way to go Beccy!! I loved watching how calm and confident you were in each challenge!! I was pretty confident that you would win. You have demonstrated that you will go places in this line of work!! —Cindy

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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MasterChef Canada: And the winner is…

June 19, 2018 Tanya Ielyseieva 24 Comments

It was the moment we were waiting for! The MasterChef Canada SEASON FINALE! Two home cooks who deserved it all, battling it out. What could viewers expect? An incredible end to the great season! Andy and Beccy were supported by their loved ones and friends and what could make them more confident than that?

The home cooks had three hours to complete three courses: appetizers at the first hour mark, entrées at the second and desserts at the very end. The catch? The clock rolled the whole time and Beccy and Andy had just 10 minutes in the pantry to get everything they needed. Andy wanted to show the judges his roots and went very East Coast with his menu. Beccy was inspired by British classics with an apple twist. Chefs Claudio, Alvin and Michael were excited to see what these talented cooks would make.

And the show began! Both menus sounded incredibly delicious, but the taste was the most important part. Andy and Beccy were moving FAST! Beccy’s potato nests were in danger because of the sweet potato she used. Andy seemed very confident and his process was easy for me to watch. Beccy made a Scotch quail egg on a nest of potatoes and parsnips as her entrée. The presentation was beautiful and looked very natural, but the potatoes were a little burnt. The Halifax Donair salad with lamb, pita chips and Tahini dressing from Andy was a spot on. The flavours were amazing.

Time for the main course. The heat in the kitchen rose. Andy was running all over the kitchen while Beccy was totally chill. Chefs Claudio, Alvin and Michael started with Beccy’s rabbit two ways on a Jerusalem Artichoke purée. The cook on the meat was perfect. Andy made an elevated hodgepodge with Dungeness crab, sweetbreads, onion soubise and crab bisque. The dish was very colourful, but was it a main course?

Finally, the home cooks worked on their desserts. With just one hour, it was a lot of work. Then it was time to taste the dishes! Beccy and Andy were relieved, because the cooking was done. Up until then, the judges liked all of the dishes, but the desserts made the game. Fallen apple with a gelée core on a soil of dried fruits and nuts was Beccy’s way to end her three-course meal. The only thing that was missing was the glaze. But was it a mistake or an advantage? Andy made a Newfoundland toutons with a malted pastry cream, brown sugar and bruléed rhubarb. The judges loved the flavours of his dessert.

After all that, it was time to crown the winner of MasterChef Canada! The home cook who won the trophy, $100,000 and the life-changing title was … BECCY! The youngest winner in franchise history! I was #TeamBeccy for sure! Who was your choice? Let me know in the comments below!