A brand new cooking competition begins Monday, January 8th on TVA. Here's everything you need to know about the phenomenon that has already won over millions of fans around the world.
• Also read: Gordon Ramsay criticized TikTok for its “bad taste”.
1. An adaptation of a global success
MasterChef Québec, produced by PixCom, takes on the television phenomenon MasterChef, developed in the United Kingdom. There are already 70 adaptations of this success worldwide.
Here is a short excerpt from the first episode:
2. Stefano Faita and Martin Picard will be the judges
The reputation of the judges is well established. Everyone knows Martin Picard's contribution to Quebec gastronomy, while Stefano Faita has been inviting himself into our kitchens for several years with his very popular prepared dishes.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
But what few people know is that the two chefs were once brothers-in-law. As producer Charles Lafortune told our colleagues at 7 Jours, Stefano's sister was already visiting Martin. “They saw each other at family dinners and spent Christmas and New Year together. Your complicity is very real! It's funny to see them go. There really is the “good cop” Stefano and the “bad cop” Martin. But sometimes the roles are reversed, especially when it comes to Italian cuisine,” confided the presenter of La Voix.
3. There are 16 candidates running
MasterChef Québec consists of 16 contestants who are not professional chefs and compete in culinary challenges every night to stay in the competition.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
There are participants of all ages and from all over Quebec, from Gaspésie to Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Montreal. “We have a cowboy, a plumber, a dentist, a grandmother… all different people who like to cook,” explains Charles Lafortune.
4. Repeats of successes
Since it is an adaptation of the MasterChef format, fans will find the key elements for the course of the competition: the list of challenges, such as the famous box with the mysterious ingredients, immunities, hazards, elimination processes, etc.
5. Star guests
Contestants and audiences will see multiple guest chefs appear on set throughout the season. Josée di Stasio, Ricardo, Louis-François Marcotte, Sister Angèle, etc.
TOMA ICZKOVITS/QMI AGENCY
And know that, depending on the production, MasterChef's tone isn't smug; Comments from judges and guest judges can sometimes be harsh, like those from real customers who frequent restaurants.
6. A coveted grand prize
Whoever wins the first season of MasterChef Québec will receive $50,000.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
However, according to Charles Lafortune, all the winners of editions of the show around the world have seen their lives changed after their experience on television. Some open their own restaurants, others publish a recipe book or collaborate with brands.
MasterChef Québec will air on TVA and TVA+ from January 8, 2024, Monday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m.