Anationwide search has brought together the best 14 cooks from different backgrounds and ages who are gearing up for a tougher culinary competition with eyes on the same prize: becoming the first ever Pinoy MasterChef.
The road to the crown and the P1 million grand prize has officially begun for the top 14 cooks of MasterChef Pinoy Edition who, from now on, will be living in a single house. Who among them will get along well? Who will stand out?
Making the cut is Betty, the Loyal Kusinera of Cebu, who has been working as a house help since she was 18 to provide for her siblings and take them to school. Her employers, who have treated her as family for 15 years now, have been enthusiastic about her stint in the kusina-serye.
Carla, the Negosyante Kusinera of Bulacan, married at such a young age that she needed to learn how to cook for her family. She refined her skills in the kitchen and eventually began accepting orders from friends to prepare crispy pata and roast chicken, which are both her specialties.
Next on the list is Cons, the Kitchen Siren of San Juan, who once auditioned in Pinoy Dream Academy to become a recording artist. A disease, however, damaged her voice and deterred her from reaching her dreams. This set off her love affair with cooking and has since then vowed to master cooking.
The Biba Kusinera of Davao, Gian, has struggled with his own insecurities and his family’s expectations from him as the first born son. Gian, who is also the youngest finalist in the competition at 20, grew up believing his father never approved of him because of his homosexuality.
Ivory, a nurse, has always been pushed by her parents to become a doctor. Her love for cooking proved potent enough that she abandoned the medical field to pursue her culinary passion.
For band vocalist JR, winning the Pinoy MasterChef title also means winning his dream wedding with his girlfriend. The Rakistang Kusinero of Benguet also wants to use the cash prize to support his child from a former partner whom he has not seen in years.
Lilibeth has struggled to make ends meet as a housemaid ever since she separated from her live-in partner and the father of her two children. She joined the kusina-serye to provide a better life for her and her family.
Also striving to work hard for his family is Mac, the Kitchen Mac-Kulit of Tarlac, whose marriage and relationship with his children ultimately suffered while he worked as a seaman abroad. Now separated from his wife, Mac has returned home for good to take care of his kids.
Maureen, the Loving Nanay of Kusina, joined MasterChef to help in paying for her two kids’ medical bills. Both of them suffer from G6PD, a fatal disease that could cause hemorrhage to an affected person who eats certain foods he is allergic to. Maureen’s husband is their family’s sole breadwinner as she intends to look after the kids.
Melissa, 51, is the oldest among the finalists and is regarded by the group as their mother figure. Will the considerate Cooking Momma give way to others or will she fight for the grand prize until the end?
Also pulling out all the stops to become the first ever Pinoy MasterChef is Myra, a working class mom who wants to be recognized as an excellent cook. The Chef Accountant of Muntinlupa first worked her way around the kitchen when she was still little and cooked for her siblings and parents.
Also entering the Top 14 is Reggie, the Romantic Kusinero of Laguna, who admits he always gets dumped by girls. He says that he wants a girlfriend who is not so good at cooking so he could satiate her with his dishes and love.
Ronnel, meanwhile, grows vegetables in his backyard and cooks over an open fire using twigs. The Boy Labong of Pampanga’s family survives on income from his humble sari-sari store business.
Sorsogon’s Chief Cook of Police, Tolits, wanted to take up Fine Arts in college but was not able to because his family couldn’t afford it, and it was only in cooking where could express his passion for art. He eventually joined the police force and now aspires to put up a small restaurant to support his family.
Watch the Top 14 cooks fight their way to the top in MasterChef Pinoy Edition, Mondays to Fridays, 10:30 a.m. before Be Careful with My Heart on ABS-CBN’s Umaganda block and on Saturdays, 10 a.m. before Be Careful with My Heart Saturday Rewind. For updates on the program, like www.facebook.com/MasterChefPH, follow @MasterChefPHL on Twitter, and visitwww.masterchefph.tv.