Two Finalists Named on FOX's MASTERCHEF

Last night, judges Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot announced the Top Two finalists on MASTERCHEF: Natasha Crnjac, a stay-at-home mom from San Diego, CA, and Luca Manfe, a restaurant manager from Astoria, NY. Following tonight's all-new, two-hour episode, Krissi Biasiello, a paralegal from Philadelphia, PA, and Jessie Lysiak, a yacht stewardess from Social Circle, GA, were eliminated.

Next week, on the one-hour season finale airing Wednesday, Sept. 11 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the Top Two finalists have one last chance to prove to the judges that they have the passion, skill and drive worthy of the MASTERCHEF title. In their final challenge, Crnjac and Manfe will conceptualize and prepare the most important three-course meal of their lives. Later, the judges will reveal America's next MASTERCHEF, who will walk away with a life-changing grand prize of $250,000, a cookbook deal and the MASTERCHEF title.

The Top Two finalists reveal their favorite MASTERCHEF moments:

Natasha Crnjac Age: 26
Hometown: San Diego, CA Occupation: Stay-at-Home Mom

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC4Natasha
Twitter: @MC4Natasha

Favorite MASTERCHEF Moment: "Realizing how much MASTERCHEF helped me grow as a person. I've never put so much of myself into anything in my life, and MASTERCHEF really pushed me, mentally and physically, and reinforced my love for what I do in the kitchen more than ever."

Luca Manfe Age: 31
Hometown: Astoria, NY Occupation: Restaurant Manager

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC4Luca
Twitter: @MC4Luca

Favorite MASTERCHEF Moment: "The surprise visit from my wife and winning the mystery box challenge with her support. Needless to say, MASTERCHEF has been the best experience of my life, and I am so grateful for how much I have learned."

MASTERCHEF will once again travel across the country and give talented home cooks the chance to prove they have what it takes to make their mark on the culinary world. Open casting calls begin Saturday, Oct. 5, in The Following cities:

Phoenix

Saturday, Oct. 5

Embassy Suites Biltmore
2630 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

New Orleans

Saturday, Oct. 5

Hyatt French Quarter
800 Iberville Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Houston

Saturday, Oct. 12

Doubletree Suites Hotel Houston Galleria
5353 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77056
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Orlando

Saturday, Oct. 12

Aloft Orlando
500 South Orange Ave.
Orlando, FL 32801
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Chicago

Saturday, Oct. 19

TBA

Columbus

Saturday, Oct. 19

Hyatt Regency Columbus

350 North High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Kansas City

Saturday, Oct. 26

Kansas City Marriott Downtown

200 West 12th Street

Kansas City, MO 64105

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

New York City

Saturday, Oct. 26

TBA

Denver

Saturday, Nov. 2

Crowne Plaza Denver Downtown
1450 Glenarm Place
Denver, CO 80202
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Philadelphia

Saturday, Nov. 2

TBA

Los Angeles

Saturday, Nov. 9

TBA

Additional details, including venues and times, will be announced soon. Visit www.masterchefcasting.com for the most up-to-date audition information.

MASTERCHEF is produced by Shine America and One Potato Two Potato, and is based on a 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 using #masterchef.

About One Potato Two Potato:

One Potato Two Potato (OPTP) was co-founded by Gordon Ramsay and Optomen Television in 2008 to exclusively create and produce worldwide content for Ramsay ventures across all media, including television, digital and publishing. 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 (OPTP is now in production on Season Two); and four seasons of MASTERCHEF, all for FOX; "Food Court Wars" for Food Network; massive U.K. hit "Gordon Ramsay Behind Bars" and "Gordon's Great Escape" for Channel 4; and "My Kitchen" for UKTV's Good Food Channel. Ramsay's groundbreaking Channel 4 series, "Cookalong Live," aired as a special on FOX and has since become a successful format around the world. OPTP is also currently in development on several exciting unscripted and scripted projects, within and beyond the food genre, for network, cable and digital platforms in the U.S., U.K. and around the world. OPTP distributes its hugely popular TV programming and formats to more than 200 territories via Optomen International. The company became part of the All3Media group in 2010. Find out more about One Potato Two Potato at www.onepotatotwopotato.tv.

About Shine America:
Shine America is a world leader in producing and distributing compelling scripted and unscripted television and digital content. Shine America is known for popular and award-winning original series including "The Biggest Loser" and "The Face," as well as adaptations of Shine Group formats such as MASTERCHEF and "Minute to Win It," and scripted series including new drama "The Bridge." Shine America incorporates several divisions including unscripted format label Ardaban and Shine Latino, which develops and distributes original Spanish-language content to the U.S. and Latin American marketplaces. The company also has a joint-venture with award-winning producer Nigel Lythgoe (Nigel Lythgoe Productions).

The global Shine 360? division builds brands through the leveraging of its intellectual property and creating integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers. The company has also developed over 20 ground-breaking original online series on MSN, Yahoo!, Youtube premium channels and other platforms, many produced in partnership with global brands. Through Shine Group's distribution arm, Shine International, Shine America distributes its extensive library of programming and formats to more than 150 countries. Visit www.shineamerica.com for further information.

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