Kids Rule the Kitchen in MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, Premiering Sept. 27 on CTV

- Following the most-watched season of MASTERCHEF ever in Canada, the all-new kids version of hit culinary competition series joins the CTV fall schedule -

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TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, the latest instalment of the hit culinary competition franchise MASTERCHEF, premieres Friday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV, it was confirmed today. Hot on the heels of another epic edition of MASTERCHEF, which ended its most recent season second only to THE AMAZING RACE CANADA as summer's most-watched reality program, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR follows 24 pint-sized home cooks between the ages of eight and 13 years old as they chop, slice, sauté, and bake their way towards a $100,000 grand prize and the title of North America's first-ever MasterChef Junior. The judging panel features MASTERCHEF host and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich, and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot.

"CTV is proud to be the home of the MASTERCHEF franchise in Canada, and we can't wait for viewers to join us for MASTERCHEF JUNIOR," said Phil King, CTV Programming and Sports. "As the American version ends its most-popular season yet, and with the incredible response we had with MASTERCHEF CANADA auditions, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR is a perfect, family-friendly Friday night complement to our schedule."

During the series premiere of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, the junior home cooks split up into three groups of eight to create their best seafood, pasta, or dessert dishes. Those who impress the judges earn a white MasterChef Junior apron and advance to the Top 12. Then, on Friday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. ET, the Top 12 finalists compete in the first challenge to prove they have what it takes to make it in the kitchen. Over the course of the season, the MASTERCHEF JUNIOR finalists compete in a cupcake challenge, a tag-team Beef Wellington challenge, and the always difficult restaurant takeover where they prepare a three-course menu at a celebrated fine-dining restaurant.

**Media Note** Photography for MASTERCHEF JUNIOR is available online at BellMediaPR.ca.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR Top 24 contestants:

• Alexander, 13, New York, NY
• Lishai, 11, Los Angeles, CA
• Amanda, 12, Franklin Square, NY
• Mina, 11, Pomona, CA
• Daniel, 11, Hawthorne, NY
• Molly, 12, Pasadena, CA
• Dara, 12, Culver City, CA
• Nathan, 8, Woodland Hills, CA
• Ethan, 11, Riverside, CA
• Noah, 12, San Juan Capistrano, CA
• Franco, 11, Massapequa, NY
• Roen, 12, Brooklyn, NY
• Gavin, 10, San Francisco, CA
• Sage, 13, Rossmoor, CA
• Hana, 10, Claremont, CA
• Sara, 12, Studio City, CA
• Jack, 10, East Rockaway, NY
• Sarah, 9, Culver City, CA
• Jewels, 12, Manalapan, NJ
• Sofia, 12, Brooklyn, NY
• Justin, 11, Neptune, NJ
• Tommy, 11, Palos Verdes Estates, CA
• Kaylen, 11, Culver City, CA
• Troy, 12, Thousand Oaks, CA

New episodes of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR will be available the day following its television broadcast across CTV's digital platforms, including CTV.ca, the CTV App, the CTV Mobile channel on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners such as Bell Fibe TV.

MASTERCHEF's fourth season was its most successful yet in Canada with an average of 1.9 million viewers and a series-high audience of 2.4 million viewers.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR is produced by Shine America and One Potato Two Potato, and is based on the format created by Franc Roddam and Shine. Shine International handles distribution for the MASTERCHEF format. Elisabeth Murdoch, Eden Gaha, Paul Franklin, Robin Ashbrook, Gordon Ramsay, Adeline Ramage Rooney, Patricia Llewellyn and Ben Adler serve as executive producers.

Source: BBM Canada, May 27-Sept 8, 2013

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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 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