A TEACHER, A STUDENT, A SOFTWARE ENGINEER AND A BARTENDER ARE THE “MASTERCHEF” TOP 4 FINALISTS
September 13, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
Home Cooks Sheetal Bhagat, Lee Knaz, David Miller and Whitney Miller
Vie for Title on Final Showdown Wednesday, September 15, on FOX
Sheetal Bhagat from Chicago, IL; Lee Knaz from Venice, CA; David Miller from Newton Centre, MA; and Whitney Miller from Poplarville, MS, are the MASTERCHEF Top 4 finalists. On Wednesday, Sept. 15 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), these home cooks will go head-to-head one last time as judges Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot determine which hopeful truly has the passion and potential to transform his or her culinary dreams into reality.
On the two-hour season finale, the remaining Top Four chefs compete in the first challenge and the judges waste no time eliminating two home cooks. Then, the final two are challenged to prepare a delicious three-course meal. With their family members cheering them on, they must use all of their culinary skills to create a mouth-watering appetizer, a delicious main course and a fabulous dessert. Only the strongest competitor will embark on a life-changing journey – earning the title of MASTERCHEF, winning the $250,000 grand prize and publishing his or her own cookbook.
The Top 4 finalists reveal their favorite MASTERCHEF moments and what they learned from the show:
Sheetal Bhagat
Age: 37
Occupation: Teacher
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Mystery Box Challenges Won: 1
Invention Tests Won: 0
Field Challenges Won: 3
Favorite MASTERCHEF moment: “If I had to choose, it’d be during the fishing challenge when we were waiting to present our dishes to the three food critics. Back in the kitchen, Gordon, Joe and Graham started sharing stories about their own experience with food critics and tales about opening their own restaurants. I felt so connected to them at that moment, and it was great to see that side of them and hear their experiences they’ve had in the culinary world.”
What she learned from the show: “The thing that stands out most was when we had to handle, cook and take apart a crab. I didn’t even know where to begin, and I had a big fear of failure, but I overcame that fear and it was one of the biggest hurdles I had to conquer while I was there, but I’m so glad that I was able to do it.”
Lee Knaz
Age: 27
Occupation: Bartender
Hometown: Venice, CA
Mystery Box Challenges Won: 1
Invention Tests Won: 1
Field Challenges Won: 1
Favorite MASTERCHEF moment: “My favorite MASTERCHEF moment would have to be winning the romance challenge when I cooked the beef tenderloin with port-plum reduction sauce. It was such an exciting and proud moment, and I thought it elevated me to the level where I was considered to be a frontrunner in the competition. After having only one year of cooking experience, to be getting recognition from three culinary greats – Gordon, Joe and Graham – was just amazing.”
What he learned from the show: “The main thing I learned on the show was how to work under pressure and be able to perform and think on my feet while improvising all at the same time – it’s totally different than cooking in my own kitchen. I was in a professional environment and cooking for the judges who all have amazing culinary backgrounds. It gave me the confidence in my abilities as a chef and proved to me that I was going in the right direction to follow my culinary dreams.”
David Miller
Age: 29
Occupation: Software Engineer
Hometown: Newton Centre, MA
Mystery Box Challenges Won: 0
Invention Tests Won: 0
Field Challenges: 3
Favorite MASTERCHEF moment: “By far my favorite moment was when we did the fishing challenge and were given one hour to complete our dishes and present them to three top food critics. In the end, I won the challenge and received an 11.5 stars out of 12 from the critics. It was such a humbling and an unbelievable experience. I almost can’t even describe it to you now because it still thrills me to this day. It was an amazing moment, and I still can’t contain my excitement.”
What he learned from the show: “I learned so much from the show, but the biggest thing I took away is that there is so much talent hiding in people’s kitchens. Being on the show with so many passionate and brilliant people and enduring such an intense competition was just thrilling.”
Whitney Miller
Age: 22
Occupation: Student
Hometown: Poplarville, MS
Mystery Box Challenges Won: 1
Invention Tests Won: 1
Field Challenges Won: 1
Favorite MASTERCHEF moment: “My favorite moment was when I won the very first mystery box challenge. Being the youngest competitor in the competition I felt I really had to prove myself to the judges and the other competitors. So, when I won, I felt like I had made my mark on MASTERCHEF and really had a chance to make it far in the competition. It was a super-exciting moment.”
What she learned from the show: “I was introduced to a variety of new ingredients that I had never used in any dishes, like gooseberries and passion fruit. That passion fruit really threw me for a loop, and it challenged me to try new things and broadened my horizons. I will certainly continue to incorporate new ingredients throughout my dishes for many years to come.”
Recipes inspired by the MASTERCHEF Top 4 are featured in the “MasterChef Cookbook” published by Rodale Books, on stands now. For more information, please visit www.fox.com/masterchef.
MASTERCHEF is produced by Reveille, Shine TV and One Potato Two Potato and is based on format created by Franc Roddam and Shine TV. Shine International handles distribution for the MASTERCHEF format. Elisabeth Murdoch, Franc Roddam, Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens, Robin Ashbrook, Gordon Ramsay, Adeline Ramage Rooney, Pat Llewellyn, JD Roth and Todd Nelson serve as executive producers.
FOX GOES BACK FOR SECONDS WITH SEASON TWO OF GORDON RAMSAY’S “MASTERCHEF”
September 7, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
Next All-New Episode of Summer’s No. 1 New Series Airs Tomorrow;
Thrilling First Season Finale Airs Wednesday, September 15
FOX has ordered a second season of Gordon Ramsay’s newest culinary competition series, MASTERCHEF, it was announced today by Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.
“Gordon Ramsay is an incredible talent and the biggest culinary star on television today, so we’re very happy to have Gordon and MASTERCHEF back for another season on FOX,” said Darnell. “MASTERCHEF has resonated with viewers this summer, and we look forward to seeing where Gordon takes the show in Season Two.”
“It’s amazing and refreshing to see how much passion and raw talent there is from amateur home cooks across America,” said Ramsay. “It’s extraordinary the amount of energy and excitement the show brought in Season One, and I’m thrilled to be back at FOX for a second season.”
“The amazing reception for MASTERCHEF on FOX has been hugely rewarding for all of us at Shine Group,” said MASTERCHEF executive producer and Shine Group Chairman and CEO, Elisabeth Murdoch. “As the creators of this unique global franchise, we’re thrilled to see the U.S. audience love this show as much as we do. We are looking forward to building on this early success with an even broader, bigger search in Season Two, and to seeing the brand grow as it continues to do so in Australia, the U.K., France and around the world, breaking viewing and ancillary records as it goes.”
MASTERCHEF is the No. 1 new program of the summer among Adults 18-49, outperforming the next highest-rated show by +14%.
In the next all-new episode, airing tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 8 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, the MASTERCHEF judges – Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot – force the home cooks to work for their food as they all go fishing and are allowed to use only what they caught to make a delicious meal. At the end of the episode, one more contestant will be sent home.
The following week on the season finale, airing Wednesday, Sept. 15 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the remaining four home cooks go head-to-head and battle it out to become America’s first-ever MASTERCHEF. The winner will earn the title of America’s Best Home Cook, walk away with $250,000 and a cookbook-publishing deal and embark on a life-changing journey.
For those that believe they are the next MASTERCHEF please visit fox.com/masterchef.
MASTERCHEF is produced by Reveille, Shine TV and One Potato Two Potato and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Shine TV. Shine International handles distribution for the MASTERCHEF format.
GORDON RAMSAY, JOE BASTIANICH AND GRAHAM ELLIOT ANNOUNCE THE “MASTERCHEF” TOP 14
August 11, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
Teacher, Software Engineer, Construction Worker and Doctor Among Finalists
Competition Continues Next Week with a Two-Hour Episode on a New Night
Wednesday, August 18, on FOX
After scouring the nation for the best amateur cooks in America, the judges of MASTERCHEF have chosen the 14 hopefuls who will compete for the title of America’s first-ever MASTERCHEF. The Top 14 are Sheetal Bhagat, Tony Carbone, Jake Gandolfo, Sharone Hakman, Jenna Hamiter, Kim Dung “Slim” Huynh, Faruq Jenkins, Mike Kim, Lee Knaz, David Miller, Whitney Miller, Tracy Nailor, Avis White and Sheena Zadeh.
The competition heats up next when the MASTERCHEF Top 14 enter the kitchen on a new night and time beginning Wednesday, Aug. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Throughout the season, the home cooks will undergo a series of high-pressure individual and team challenges from creating incredible gourmet dishes using mystery ingredients and identifying components in a complex dish to providing an all-American send-off meal for hundreds of U.S. Marines and catering a high-end wedding. The MASTERCHEF judges – Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot – are looking for the contestant who possesses a refined palate as well as the right blend of skill, passion and creativity.
Below are the Top 14 home cooks on MASTERCHEF:
| Sheetal Bhagat
Age: 37 Occupation: Teacher Hometown: Chicago, IL |
Cooking inspiration: My mom had the biggest influence on me. Everything she made used fresh ingredients; there was nothing canned or processed. I have carried her philosophy of healthy eating using only pure fresh ingredients into my cooking today.
| Tony Carbone
Age: 31 Occupation: Server Hometown: Boston, MA |
Cooking inspiration: My mother and grandmother. They spoiled me with great food growing up, so I knew that when I got older if I wanted to keep eating as good as I did growing up, then I’d need to learn to cook like them.
| Jake Gandolfo
Age: 38 Occupation: Construction Worker Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA |
Cooking inspiration: My mother and Julia Child. Some of my earliest memories are of standing on a stool and canning vegetables from the family garden with my mom while watching “The French Chef” on television.
| Sharone Hakman
Age: 28 Occupation: Financial Advisor Hometown: Los Angeles, CA |
Cooking inspiration: I’d have to say I inspired myself. When I was a kid, my mother was not part of our lives, and my dad was always working to support us. When my grandma wasn’t around, I had to go into our fridge and make something out of nothing. I taught myself how to create dishes at a very young age. This “survival” mode was how I started out, but cooking then became a creative outlet that I haven’t been able to stop since.
| Jenna Hamiter
Age: 23 Occupation: Homemaker Hometown: Euless, TX |
Cooking inspiration: My 85-year-old grandmother, who is a successful homemaker with nine children and 25 grandchildren. She’s has always been the gracious hostess, turning out spectacular desserts and parties for decades. I am thankful and privileged to still enjoy moments with her in the kitchen.
| Kim Dung “Slim” Huynh
Age: 22 Occupation: Student Hometown: Harvey, LA |
Cooking inspiration: My mom. As a child, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen trying to see over the stove to find out what she was cooking.
| Faruq Jenkins
Age: 30 Occupation: Bartender Hometown: Glendale, CA |
Cooking inspiration: My mother and grandmother. My fondest memories of the holidays are staying up late and waking up early to help cook. The time I was able to spend with them in the kitchen was priceless.
| Mike Kim
Age: 34 Occupation: Server Hometown: Redondo Beach, CA |
Cooking inspiration: While my parents were instrumental in inspiring me to cook, fishing also played an important role. I started deep-sea fishing when I moved to California, and as I encountered a plethora of the freshest fish imaginable – from Yellowtail to Pacific Sheepshead and more – my understanding, passion and inspiration for cooking reached a whole new level.
| Lee Knaz
Age: 27 Occupation: Bartender Hometown: Venice, CA |
Cooking inspiration: I grew up in a family of non-cooks, but growing up in Israel I would watch hours of cooking shows. My first memories are of satellite-broadcasted French channels that would air cooking shows with Joël Robuchon and Jacques Pépin. I didn’t understand a word they were saying, but I was completely fascinated by them.
| David Miller
Age: 29 Occupation: Software Engineer Hometown: Newton Centre, MA |
Cooking inspiration: My mother. I always loved helping her in the kitchen – whether it was doing prep work, making gravy or doing dishes. As a teenager, I was vegetarian, and my mom accommodated that – she loves making people happy through food.
| Whitney Miller
Age: 22 Occupation: Student Hometown: Poplarville, MS |
Cooking inspiration: My great-grandmother. My family would eat lunch at her house every Sunday when I was younger. I spent hours watching her make homemade biscuits, seafood gumbo, lemon meringue pies and countless other Southern favorites.
| Tracy Nailor
Age: 42 Occupation: Doctor Currently Resides: Atlanta, GA |
Cooking inspiration: My mother is the person who taught me the fundamentals of cooking. When I create a dish or prepare a family favorite, I am carrying on her legacy and honoring her memory by doing something she loved. I am grateful we were able to share that time.
| Avis White
Age: 47 Occupation: Elderly Caregiver Currently Resides: Vacherie, LA |
Cooking Inspiration: My grandmother always instilled in me the importance of family. She also felt it was important that I knew how to cook, clean, pay bills, and take care of myself at a young age. The one thing she wanted me to be really good at was cooking and baking, so she spent countless hours teaching me how to do just that. I am so grateful for those life lessons because it has made me the great cook that I am.
| Sheena Zadeh
Age: 26 Occupation: Marketing Executive Hometown: Anaheim, CA |
Cooking Inspiration: My first urge to cook came from watching cooking shows on television, but I was truly inspired to cook when I saw the smile on my dad’s face the first time I put dinner on the table for my family.
Additionally, recipes inspired by the MASTERCHEF Top 14 will be featured in the upcoming “MasterChef Cookbook” published by Rodale Books, set to be released on September 1. For more information, please visit www.fox.com/masterchef.
MASTERCHEF is produced by Reveille, Shine TV and One Potato Two Potato and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Shine TV. Shine International handles distribution for the MASTERCHEF format. Elisabeth Murdoch, Franc Roddam, Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens, Gordon Ramsay, Adeline Ramage Rooney, Pat Llewellyn, JD Roth and Todd Nelson serve as executive producers.
“MASTERCHEF” STARTS COOKING TUESDAY, JULY 27, ON FOX
July 20, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
NATIONWIDE SEARCH BRINGS 50 AMATEUR HOME COOKS
TO LOS ANGELES TO VIE FOR FIRST-EVER “MASTERCHEF” TITLE
Top 14 Revealed Tuesday, August 10
Sharpen your knives and fire up your stoves! Famed chef Gordon Ramsay’s newest culinary competition series, MASTERCHEF, based on the smash international hit, is set to start cooking Tuesday, July 27 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. After a nationwide search for the best home cooks in America, the series will turn one of 50 hopefuls into a culinary star and America’s first-ever MASTERCHEF.
In the premiere episode, the hopefuls will have one hour to prepare their signature dishes and present them to the distinguished MASTERCHEF judging panel: Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay; restaurateur and wine maker Joe Bastianich; and the youngest four-star chef in America, Graham Elliot. The judges are looking for passion, creativity and most importantly great flavor and taste. Only the most deserving home cooks who impress the judges will win the coveted white apron and will move on to the next round of the competition.
On Tuesday, Aug. 3 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the judges will reveal the Top 30, and each week, the stakes will be raised as more hopefuls are eliminated until the Top 14 are announced on Tuesday, Aug. 10 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Then, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the show moves to a new night and expands to two-hour episodes as the hopefuls dish out their absolute best in an effort to impress the judges and continue in the competition.
Below are the hometowns, professions and dishes of the 50 home cooks:
| HOMETOWN | NAME | PROFESSION | LOVES TO COOK… |
| California | |||
| Anaheim | Sheena Zadeh | Marketing Executive | Pork Tenderloin with Braised Fennel and Spaetzle in Orange Sauce |
| Felton | Jake Gandolfo | Construction Worker | Eclectic Surf and Turf |
| Glendale | Faruq Jenkins | Bartender | Chic and Cozy Colbert Mac and Cheese |
| Long Beach | Stevie Cannone | Longshoreman | Lamb on Vanilla Sweet Potato |
| Los Angeles | Sharone Hakman | Financial Advisor | Za’atar-Dusted Lobster with Roasted Corn Chutney, Tostones and Anchovy Chili Cilantro Sauce |
| Redondo Beach | Mike Kim | Server | Duck “Ssam” Wraps |
| Santa Clarita | Christopher Spradley | Unemployed | Beach Bum’s Beer Cheese Soup |
| Venice | Lee Knaz | Bartender | Herb and Panko-Crusted Rack of Lamb with Fennel Mint Risotto |
| Venice | Whitney Webster | Marketing Rep | Pan-Seared Halibut with Fennel Citrus Salad and Green Quinoa |
| Whittier | Adeliz Garcia | Legal Assistant | Trio of Tostones with Red Wine,
Balsamic Reduction and Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce |
| Woodland Hills | Ryan Wesley | Dockworker | Wally’s Wing Sandwich |
| HOMETOWN | NAME | PROFESSION | LOVES TO COOK… |
| Colorado | |||
| Denver | Charmaine Cheung | Assistant to the Attorney General | Seared Curried Scallops with Truffled Oysters, Mushrooms and Creamy Coconut Rice |
| Denver | Darryl Pierce | Public Relations | Smoked Baby Back Ribs with BBQ Baked Beans
and Cole Slaw |
| Florida | |||
| Boca Raton | Paul Berger | Attorney | Frutti di Mare |
| Boynton Beach | Jennifer Fresard | Car Sales | Yucca and Sweet Potato-Encrusted Fish Served on a Bed of Jicama Slaw Dressed in a Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette Finished with a Passion Fruit Aioli |
| Miami | Barbara Estevez | Office Manager | Arroz con Pollo |
| Georgia | |||
| Atlanta | Steven Kowalczuk | Mixologist | Bang Bang Shrimp |
| Atlanta | Tracy Nailor | Doctor | Smothered Chicken with Braised Brussels Sprouts |
| Duluth | Robin McMahan | Sales Associate | Roast Pork Tenderloin with Vinegar Peppers |
| Marietta | Joseph McKenna | Medical Consultant | Triscuit-Encrusted Tuna with Peppered Swiss |
| Roswell | Lizbeth Harrison | Artist | Chicken Tarragon |
| Illinois | |||
| Aurora | Scott Fischer | Sales Executive | Roasted Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple-Honey Red Pepper on Baby Spinach Compound Butter |
| Chicago | Sheetal Bhagat | Teacher | Chicken Tikka Masala |
| Jacksonville | Randy Twyford | Farmer | Loaded Potato Casserole |
| Naperville | Kristina Svec | Homemaker | Italian Sushi |
| Kansas | |||
| Cedar Point | Josh Hoy | Rancher | Filet of Beef |
| Louisiana | |||
| Harvey | KimDung “Slim” Huynh | Student | Vietnamese Chicken Rice |
| New Orleans | Max Almerico | Sales Manager | New Orleans-Style Barbecue Shrimp |
| Vacherie | Avis White | Elderly Caregiver | Catfish Acadiana with a Vegetable Medley and Garlic Bread |
| Massachusetts | |||
| Boston | Anthony Carbone | Server | Veal Saltimbocca with Pasta Aglio and Oven-Roasted Tomatoes |
| HOMETOWN | NAME | PROFESSION | LOVES TO COOK… |
| Massachusetts (cont’d) | |||
| Newton Centre | David Miller | Software Engineer | Bouillabaisse |
| Peabody | Jennifer Thall | Homemaker | Chicken Florentine Salad with Garlic-Lemon Vinaigrette Infused with Pomegranate |
| Shrewsbury | Michael Tomaiolo | Pharmaceutical Sales | Zuppa di Pesce |
| Mississippi | |||
| Poplarville | Whitney Miller | Student | Blackened Catfish Tacos with Mango Chutney |
| Nevada | |||
| Las Vegas | Jodi Amorusa | Homemaker | Artichoke Tortellini |
| New Jersey | |||
| Keasbey | Tamar Poyser | Unemployed | Curry Lobster over Jasmine Rice |
| New York | |||
| Massapequa | Tom Cosma | Mortgage Broker | Pasta e Fagioli |
| New York City | Craig Baker | Homemaker | Smokey Cuban Sloppy Joe
with Sofrito Slaw and Moijito-Encrusted Corn |
| New York City | Katerina Duarte | Homemaker | Katerina’s Moqueca
(Brazillian Seafood Stew) |
| New York City | Leigh Glatt | Actress | Wild Alaskan Salmon with Crushed Fingerling Potatoes and Sautéed Chard in a Lemon Dijon Emulsion |
| New York City | Grace Ramirez | Content Producer | Abuela’s Carne en Coco
(Shredded Coconut Meat with Sweet Plantains and Cilantro Rice) |
| Woodbury | Roberto Liuzzo | Photographer | Artichoke Trio |
| Texas | |||
| Alvarado | Joe Gill | Equipment Builder | Chipotle Lime BBQ Cornish Game Hen with Roasted
Garlic and Chipotle Potatoes and Sautéed Green Beans with Jalapeño and Bacon |
| Arlington | Aundrea Richardson | Bomb Squad Canine Handler | Blackened Catfish with Crawfish, Shrimp Etouffee and Garlic Cheese Biscuits |
| Dallas | Azmina Aboobaker | Attorney | Chicken Biryani with Cucumber Raita |
| Euless | Jenna Hamiter | Homemaker | Stuffed Buttermilk Pancakes with Fresh Berries and Pure Maple Syrup |
| Wylie | Hollie Dorethy | Homemaker | Southwest Seafood and Avocado Salad with Chipotle Lime Dressing Served in Grilled Avocado and Roasted Poblano Pesto |
| HOMETOWN | NAME | PROFESSION | LOVES TO COOK… |
| Virginia | |||
| Arlington | Suzzette James | Pharmaceutical Representative | Tilapia Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa |
| Washington | |||
| Seattle | Linda Nicholson | Real Estate | Minted Dungeness Crab Cakes with Kaffir Lime and Lemongrass Sake Beurre Blanc |
| Seattle | Emme Ribeiro | Server | Seared Scallops in Creamy Palm Oil Shrimp Sauce and Coconut Rice with Okra and Milanesa |
MASTERCHEF is produced by Reveille, Shine TV and One Potato Two Potato and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Shine TV. Shine International handles distribution for the MASTERCHEF format. Elisabeth Murdoch, Franc Roddam, Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens, Gordon Ramsay, Adeline Ramage Rooney, Pat Llewellyn, JD Roth and Todd Nelson serve as executive producers.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: For episodic photos and more information on MASTERCHEF, please visit http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z308.]
FOX ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO SUMMER SCHEDULE
April 14, 2010 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment
GORDON RAMSAY’S “HELL’S KITCHEN” HEATS UP
STARTING TUESDAY, JUNE 1
NEW CULINARY COMPETITION “MASTERCHEF” TO PREMIERE
TUESDAY, JULY 27
“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” TO AIR WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS FOLLOWING SEASON PREMIERE ON THURSDAY, MAY 27
“GLEE” ENCORES TO AIR THURSDAYS BEGINNING JUNE 10
FOX updates its summer schedule with HELL’S KITCHEN making its seventh season premiere on Tuesday, June 1 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), and culinary competition series MASTERCHEF premiering Tuesday, July 27 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The new summer season of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE will air performance shows on Wednesdays and results shows on Thursdays following the season premiere on Thursday, May 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). In addition, television’s most-acclaimed new series, GLEE, will air encores throughout the summer on Thursdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).
As previously announced, television’s hottest dance series, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, swings into summer with a two-hour premiere Thursday, May 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Hosted by Cat Deeley, the hit dance competition series will inspire and amaze viewers as dancers skilled in styles ranging from hip-hop to ballroom compete to be named America’s Favorite Dancer. Once the DANCE auditions conclude, weekly performance shows will air Wednesdays (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), and weekly results shows will air Thursdays (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed).
Superstar chef Gordon Ramsay cranks up the ovens in HELL’S KITCHEN when the series returns for its seventh season with a tantalizing premiere Tuesday, June 1 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The cutthroat culinary competition will continue with a mix of one-hour and two-hour episodes throughout the summer, with two-hour episodes airing Tuesday, June 15 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) until the series premiere of MASTERCHEF on Tuesday, July 27 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
GLEE, the No. 1 new series of the season among Adults 18-34, finishes its run of all-new episodes with its first season finale Tuesday, June 8 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). In addition, viewers can catch encore airings of all their favorite GLEE episodes Thursdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) beginning June 10.
Also as previously announced, THE GOOD GUYS, the new action-comedy starring Bradley Whitford and Colin Hanks, will have a special preview Wednesday, May 19 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and will then make its series premiere Monday, June 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). LIE TO ME continues its search for the truth when all-new episodes return to the schedule Mondays starting with its time period premiere on June 7 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Mysterious drama PAST LIFE continues with a handful of original episodes beginning with a two-hour premiere Friday, May 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and its time period premiere Friday, June 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The most arresting night of television continues this summer on Saturdays with a mixture of all-new and encore episodes of COPS (8:00-8:30 and 8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) and all-new episodes of AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), while Sunday nights feature a mix of encores and originals of ‘TIL DEATH, SONS OF TUCSON, THE SIMPSONS, THE CLEVELAND SHOW, FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD (7:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
RECAP – FOX 2010 SUMMER SCHEDULE
(All times ET/PT except as noted)
MONDAY
Mondays, beginning June 7 (as previously announced – no changes):
8:00-9:00 PM LIE TO ME (Summer Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM THE GOOD GUYS (Series Premiere)
****************************
TUESDAY
Tuesday, June 1:
8:00-9:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM GLEE
Tuesday, June 8:
8:00-9:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN
9:00-10:00 PM GLEE (Season Finale)
Tuesdays, beginning June 15:
8:00-10:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN (Two-Hour Episodes)
Tuesdays, beginning July 27:
8:00-9:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN
9:00-10:00 PM MASTERCHEF (Series Premiere)
***************************
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, May 19 (as previously announced – no changes):
8:00-9:00 PM THE GOOD GUYS (Series Preview)
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
Wednesdays, beginning June 2:
8:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Two-Hour Episodes)
THURSDAY
Thursdays, beginning May 27:
8:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season Premiere)
Thursdays, beginning June 10:
8:00-9:00 PM GLEE (Encores)
9:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (One-Hour Episodes)
***************************
FRIDAY (as previously announced – no changes)
Friday, May 28:
8:00-10:00 PM PAST LIFE (Two-Hour Summer Premiere)
Fridays, June 4 and 11:
8:00-9:00 PM PAST LIFE (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE (Time Period Premiere) (Encores)
Fridays, beginning June 18:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES (Time Period Premiere) (Encores)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE (Encores)
***************************
SATURDAY
Saturdays:
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED
11:00 PM-Midnight THE WANDA SYKES SHOW
Midnight-12:30 AM BROTHERS (Encores)
***************************
SUNDAY
Sundays, beginning June 6:
7:00-7:30 PM ‘TIL DEATH
7:30-8:00 PM SONS OF TUCSON (Time Period Premiere)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
“MASTERCHEF” PREMIERES THURSDAY, JULY 29, ON FOX
March 26, 2010 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Gordon Ramsay Reveals Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot Bowles
as Fellow Judges on New Culinary Competition Series
Gordon Ramsay announced today that restaurateur wine maker Joe Bastianich and four-star chef Graham Elliot Bowles will join him as judges on MASTERCHEF, premiering Thursday, July 29 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Bastianich is a partner of Mario Batali and has established some of New York’s most-celebrated restaurants, including Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, Lupa Osteria Romana and Del Posto. Bowles is the youngest four-star chef in the U.S. and the mastermind behind Chicago’s first “bistronomic” restaurant, Graham Elliot. With Ramsay at the helm of the competition, Bastianich and Bowles will coach and judge the contestants along the way.
MASTERCHEF is the new series that takes amateur chefs – many of whom simply cook as a hobby – and attempt to turn one of them into a culinary master. Contestants on MASTERCHEF will be put through the paces with various challenges as they compete head-to-head to create delicious dishes. The series will serve as a unique platform for people from all walks of life who want to follow their dream of working as a professional chef. These contestants will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show their passion and excitement for food as their skills and palate are tested with the hopes of becoming the winner of MASTERCHEF.
“I’m hugely excited to have Joe and Graham join me as judges on MASTERCHEF,” said Ramsay. ”Both bring a phenomenal wealth of expertise and professional experience to the show.”
Joe Bastianich opened his first restaurant, Becco, with his mother, Lidia, in 1993. Soon after, he partnered with Mario Batali, and together they have established some of New York’s most-celebrated restaurants, including Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, Lupa Osteria Romana, Esca, Casa Mono, Bar Jamόn, Otto Enoteca Pizzeria and Del Posto. Expanding their horizons beyond Manhattan, Bastianich and Batali opened Enoteca San Marco, B&B Ristorante and Carnevino in Las Vegas and Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles. The duo also purchased a vineyard in Italy with the goal of creating the world’s finest wines and olive oils. Their latest venture, a revolutionary retail food concept called Eataly, will be debuting this summer in New York. Eataly will be a resto-market featuring the best of Italy – from Italian products to Italian dining. Bastianich is an accomplished author whose passion for the culinary arts has been recognized with professional awards from Bon Appétit magazine and the James Beard Foundation.
Chef Graham Elliot Bowles is the culinary mastermind behind Chicago’s first “bistronomic” restaurant, Graham Elliot, which tempers four-star cuisine with humor and accessibility. In a very short time, the 33-year-old chef has accrued accolades, including Best New Chef in 2004 from Food & Wine magazine and three James Beard Nominations. At age 27, Bowles was the youngest four-star chef in America. In May 2008, he opened the aptly named Graham Elliot, a restaurant that would not only bear his name, but become an extension of his passionate personality embodying his core principles of humility, courage, vision, respect and focus. He is also the chef/culinary ambassador for Lollapalooza, a three-day music festival, in which he cooks for bands backstage as well as oversees all of the restaurants at the Lollapalooza Chow Town.
MASTERCHEF is produced by Reveille, Shine TV and One Potato Two Potato and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Shine TV. Shine International handles distribution for the MASTERCHEF format. Elisabeth Murdoch, Franc Roddam, Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens, Gordon Ramsay, Adeline Ramage Rooney, Pat Llewellyn, J.D. Roth and Todd Nelson serve as executive producers.
