Monday night on the Season Five premiere of MASTERCHEF, 30 of the best home cooks in America presented their signature dishes to the judging panel: host and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot. Following an intense first round of competition with unexpected twists and eliminations, the judges announced the talented hopefuls who proved worthy of a coveted white apron and will advance in the competition. The MASTERCHEF Season Five Top Finalists are: Francis Biondi, Whitney Bray, Cutter Brewer, Elizabeth Cauvel, Ahran Cho, Leslie Gilliams, Christian Green, Gordon Houston, Jordan Kaminski, Courtney Lapresi, Astrid Lavenia, Francis Legge, Elise Mayfield, Daniel McGuffey, Willie Mike, Kira Novak, Victoria Scroggins, Christine Silverstein, Stephani Syfax-Shepherd, Tyler Viars, Jaimee Vitolo and Dan Wu.
The competition continues on Monday, June 2 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, as the Top Finalists face their first mystery box challenge of the season. The contestants will have 90 minutes to cook a unique and impressive dish using mainly dessert ingredients including chocolate, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, brandy, ladyfingers, extracts, honey and ground coffee. The winner of the mystery box challenge will have a significant advantage in the next round and determine which classic American dishes the remaining contestants will have to prepare in the elimination round. At the end of the episode, the MASTERCHEF journey will end for two home cooks.
Below are the Top Finalists and the signature dish that earned them a MASTERCHEF apron:
FRANCIS BIONDI Age: 25 Hometown: Orlando, FL Occupation: Server Signature Dish: Crusted Halibut Cheeks on Moroccan Chickpea Ragu Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5FrancisB Twitter: @MC5FrancisB
WHITNEY BRAY Age: 28 Hometown: Columbus, OH Occupation: Call Center Representative Signature Dish: Braised Pork Belly with Mustard Greens, Banana Mustard and Fingerling Potatoes Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Whitney Twitter: @MC5Whitney
CUTTER BREWER Age: 33 Hometown: Beaumont, TX Occupation: Petroleum Landman Signature Dish: Venison Backstrap Lollipops with Fruit Chutney or Whiskey Gravy, Potato Salad Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Cutter Twitter: @MC5Cutter
ELIZABETH CAUVEL Age: 31 Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Occupation: Advertising Executive Signature Dish: Peanut Butter Bread Pudding with Mixed Berry Compote Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Elizabeth Twitter: @MC5Elizabeth
AHRAN CHO Age: 18 Hometown: Palo Alto, CA Occupation: High School Student Signature Dish: Korean Garlic Soy Fried Chicken Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Ahran Twitter: @MC5Ahran
LESLIE GILLIAMS Age: 56 Hometown: Malibu, CA Occupation: Stay-At-Home Dad Signature Dish: Broiled Salmon with Citrus Glaze over Sautéed Spinach Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Leslie Twitter: @MC5Leslie
CHRISTIAN GREEN Age: 29 Hometown: New Orleans, LA Occupation: Sales Representative Signature Dish: Macadamia Crusted Chicken, Garlic Mash, with Two Signature Sauces Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Christian Twitter: @MC5Christian
GORDON HOUSTON Age: 30 Hometown: Irvine, CA Occupation: Law School Graduate Signature Dish: Sea Urchin Risotto Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Gordon Twitter: @MC5Gordon
JORDAN KAMINSKI Age: 19 Hometown: Muskego, WI Occupation: College Student Signature Dish: Seared Scallops with Sautéed Leeks, Crispy Chorizo and Coconut Cilantro Sauce Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Jordan Twitter: @MC5Jordan
COURTNEY LAPRESI Age: 25 Hometown: Philadelphia, PA Occupation: Aerial Dancer Signature Dish: Ricotta Gnocchi in a Brown Butter Sage Sauce Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Courtney Twitter: @MC5CourtneyL
ASTRID LAVENIA Age: 41 Hometown: Mandeville, LA Occupation: Food Sales Signature Dish: Coriander Crusted Shrimp with Duckfat Potato, Smoky Lardons with Jalapeno Emulsion Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Astrid Twitter: www.twitter.com/MC5Astrid
FRANCIS LEGGE Age: 34 Hometown: New York, NY Occupation: Music Video Director Signature Dish: Crazy Caprese Salad Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5FrancisL Twitter: @MC5FrancisL
ELISE MAYFIELD Age: 28 Hometown: Birmingham, AL Occupation: e-Learning Administrator Signature Dish: Blueberry Goat Cheese Hand Pies with Whipped Cream and Almond Brittle Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Elise Twitter: @MC5Elise
DANIEL McGUFFEY Age: 32 Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Occupation: Video Game Designer Signature Dish: Deerly Beloved (Venison Tartar with Quail Egg and Tempura Okra) Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Daniel Twitter: @MC5Daniel
WILLIE MIKE Age: 25 Hometown: Houston, TX Occupation: Church Music Director Signature Dish: White Wine Apricot Chicken, Almond Rice Pilaf and Cinnamon Roasted Carrots Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Willie Twitter: @MC5Willie
KIRA NOVAK Age: 31 Hometown: Youngstown, OH Occupation: Medical Recruiter Signature Dish: Herbed Goat Cheese Crusted Steak with Roasted Habanero Red Pepper Sauce and garlic Cauliflower Puree Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Kira Twitter: @MC5Kira
VICTORIA SCROGGINS Age: 35 Hometown: San Angelo, TX Occupation: Bartender Signature Dish: Roasted Goat Heart with Parsnip, Celeriac and Pickled Beets Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Victoria Twitter: @MC5Victoria
CHRISTINE SILVERSTEIN Age: 31 Hometown: Yonkers, NY Occupation: Investment Director Signature Dish: Wild Boar Meatballs with
Squash and Chestnut Radicchio Salad Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Christine Twitter: @MC5Christine
STEPHANI SYFAX-SHEPHERD Age: 25 Hometown: Detroit, MI Occupation: Server Signature Dish: Lobster Polenta with Corne Maque Choux and Rose Beurre Monte Shellfish Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Stephani Twitter: @MC5Stephani
TYLER VIARS Age: 27 Hometown: Wilmington, OH Occupation: Hunting Sales Manager Signature Dish: Venison Chimichurri with Fried Potatoes Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Tyler Twitter: @MC5Tyler
JAIMEE VITOLO Age: 23 Hometown: Queens, NY Occupation: Bakery Assistant Signature Dish: Peanut Butter and Banana Elvis Cream Puffs with Bacon Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Jaimee Twitter: @MC5Jaimee
DAN WU Age: 39 Hometown: Lexington, KY Occupation: Unemployed Signature Dish: Home Alone (and All Grown) Ramen with Sriracha Pickled Peaches Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Dan Twitter: @MC5Dan
Later this season, the home cooks will prepare a hearty meal for more than 500 servicemen and women on an army base in the biggest field challenge in MASTERCHEF history. Then, the hopefuls will hit the beach to prepare an unforgettable two-course meal for a summer wedding, visit a local diner to prepare American classics, cook a romantic dinner for couples on date night at the MASTERCHEF restaurant, 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 home cooks compete for the coveted title of MASTERCHEF, a cookbook deal and the $250,000 grand prize.
MASTERCHEF 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.
"Like" MASTERCHEF on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MasterChef. Follow the series on Twitter @MASTERCHEFonFOX and join the discussion with #masterchef.
About One Potato Two Potato
Renowned for award-winning original programming, the company produces high-quality TV shows on both sides of the Atlantic, including the smash-hit HOTEL HELL, which was the highest-rated new network show of summer 2012 and whose second season returns to
FOX in July; the blockbuster MASTERCHEF and new hit MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, both for FOX; major food competition series "Food Court Wars," the second season of which is currently airing; "Best New Restaurant," a new cable series premiering soon, as well as massive U.K. hit "Gordon Ramsay Behind Bars" and "Gordon Ramsay's Great Escape," for Channel 4; and "My Kitchen," for UKTV's Good Food Channel.
About Shine America
Shine
America is the U.S. division of Shine Group, an award-winning global production and distribution organization with 30 production companies across 12 countries. Shine
America is a leading television studio that creates inspired and compelling programming including current unscripted series MASTERCHEF (FOX),
MasterChef Junior (FOX), "The Biggest Loser" (NBC), "Minute to Win It" (GSN), "The Face" (Oxygen),
Riot (FOX), "Restaurant Kickstart" (CNBC) and "Fake-Off" (TruTV). Scripted series include Peabody Award-winning "The Bridge" (FX), as well as upcoming dramas GRACEPOINT (FOX) and "Utopia" (HBO).
Shine
America incorporates several divisions, including unscripted format label Ardaban, which develops and distributes original content to the U.S. marketplace, including series "Beat The House" (HGTV) and "The One That Got Away" (TLC). The global Shine 360° division builds brands through the leveraging of its intellectual property and creating integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers. Shine Group's distribution arm, Shine International, distributes Shine America's extensive library of programming and formats to more than 150 countries.
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