30 of the best home cooks will be competing for a chance to make the cut and be featured on season five of Fox’s MasterChef premiering on Monday, May 26, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT. Among this year’s hopefuls are a high school student, a stay-at-home dad, and a food truck manager, all of whom emerged as potential competitors after taking part in the nationwide auditions.
Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, and Joe Bastianich are returning as judges of the culinary competition.
Top 30 Home Cooks
Elise Mayfield
Birmingham, Alabama
e-Learning Administrator
Natanya Spears
Phoenix, Arizona
Construction Coordinator
Gordon Houston
Irvine, California
Law Student Graduate
Daniel McGuffey
Los Angeles, California
Video Game Designer
Leslie Gilliams
Malibu, California
Stay-at-Home-Dad
Ahran Cho
Palo Alto, California
High School Student
Amy Pezeshkifar
Tarzana, California
Graduate Student
Ruth Schreber Sanchez
Yorba Linda, California
Stay-at-Home Mom
Francis Biondi
Orlando, Florida
Server
Chandis Siwek
Star, Idaho
Dietician Intern
Rickie Perez
Chicago, Illinois
Food Truck Manager
Dan Wu
Lexington, Kentucky
Unemployed
Corey Charles
Pikeville, Kentucky
Winery Manager
Astrid Lavenia
Mandeville, Louisiana
Food Sales
Christian Green
New Orleans, Louisiana
Sales Representative
Michael Williams
Thibidaux, Louisiana
Student
Stephani Syfax-Shepherd
Detroit, Michigan
Server
Elizabeth Cauvel
Brooklyn, New York
Advertising Executive
Francis Legge
New York City, New York
Music Video Director
Jaimee Vitolo
Queens, New York
Bakery Assistant
Christine Silverstein
Yonkers, New York
Investment Director
Whitney Bray
Columbus, Ohio
Call Center Representative
Tyler Viars
Wilmington, Ohio
Hunting Sales Manager
Kira Novak
Youngstown, Ohio
Medical Recruiter
Gavin Edmondson
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Admissions Counselor
Courtney Lapresi
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aerial Dancer
Cutter Brewer
Beaumont, Texas
Petroleum Landman
Willie Mike
Houston, Texas
Church Music Director
Victoria Scroggins
San Angelo, Texas
Bartender
Jordan Kaminski
Muskego, Wisconsin
College Student
Details on Seven Five:
In the premiere episode, 30 of the best home cooks in America will travel to Los Angeles to present their signature dishes to the distinguished judging panel: Ramsay (Gordon Ramsay Steak, Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, Gordon Ramsay BurGR), Bastianich (Del Posto, Osteria Mozza) and Elliot (Graham Elliot Bistro). The judges will taste for flavor, creativity and presentation. In order to earn a coveted white apron and move to the next round, the home cooks must have an immense passion for food and be determined to out-cook their rivals.
Once the Top Finalists are revealed, they will be put through their paces in a series of challenges designed to test their palates, food knowledge, passion and culinary skills. This season, the contestants will work in teams to prepare a hearty meal for more than 500 hungry servicemen and women on an army base, create an unforgettable three-course meal for a summer wedding, visit a local diner to prepare American classics, cook a romantic dinner for 14 couples, serve game-day favorites for hungry football fans and take command of a legendary Hollywood restaurant. With each new challenge, the pressure will mount as the Top Finalists compete for the coveted title of MASTERCHEF, a cookbook deal and the $250,000 grand prize.
