Shocking Double Elimination Sees Two Home Cooks Exit the Kitchen on CTV’s MASTERCHEF CANADA

A bento box Tag Team Challenge results in the surprise double elimination of two MASTERCHEF CANADA competitors as judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile revealed that both business student Justine Joyal from Montréal, Qué., and category manager Matt VanderHelm from Toronto, Ont. would be the next home cooks to exit the competition. With six home cooks now remaining, an eliminated competitor returns to the kitchen on Thursday, April 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV Go following MASTERCHEF CANADA: REDEMPTION, a digital special presented by Miele available now at CTV.ca, that sees three previously eliminated home cooks battle it out for the chance to re-enter the competition. On this week’s episode of MASTERCHEF CANADA, the home cooks were presented with massive Mystery Box filled with Italian ingredients and tasked by the judges to create a gorgeous, restaurant-quality appetizer. The judges then told the home cooks that the winning dish would appear on the menu of Jamie’s Italian, the new Canadian chain of restaurants from world-renowned chef and food activist Jamie Oliver. Just before the home cooks could start preparing their dishes, the judges had one more surprise for the home cooks – a surprise visit from Jamie Oliver himself. The home cooks were then given 45 minutes to create their appetizers as Jamie and the judges moved throughout the kitchen to observe the dishes. At the end of the challenge, Barrie, Trevor, and Thea were the three home cooks called up to present their dishes for tasting. Jamie ultimately chose Thea’s ambitious pasta appetizer as the winning dish to appear on the menu at Jamie’s Italian. In the Elimination Challenge, the home cooks were given one hour to replicate an ultra-modern Japanese bento box after being given an opportunity to sample all of its elements. In a final twist, the judges announced that it would be a Tag Team Challenge. As a result of winning the Mystery Box Challenge, Thea got to pick her partner first – she chose Mai – and then pair up the rest of the home cooks. Thea paired Miranda with Aaron, Justine with Matt, and Trevor with Barrie. The judges then revealed that Thea and Mai would go straight up to the gallery as their second advantage. While all the teams struggled with their bento boxes, it was Justine and Matt that found themselves at the bottom and the home cooks were shocked when the judges sent both home in a surprise double elimination. In the exclusive digital special MASTERCHEF CANADA: REDEMPTION, presented by Miele and hosted by Claudio Aprile, three previously eliminated home cooks are invited to the Miele Experience Centre to compete in two challenges for the chance to re-earn their white apron and return to the MASTERCHEF CANADA Kitchen. Featuring a shocking injury and an intense head-to-head final battle, the first two of three parts of MASTERCHEF CANADA: REDEMPTION are available now at CTV.ca. The returning home cook will be revealed in next week’s all-new episode of MASTERCHEF CANADA with the third part of MASTERCHEF CANADA: REDEMPTION to be made available following the episode. Viewers can also visit ca.miele.ca/MasterChefCanadaContest to enter for the chance to win a Miele Chef’s Cooking Package worth $19,995. In the next all-new episode of MASTERCHEF CANADA, “Egg Showdown!” (Thursday, April 13 at 9 p.m. ET/PT), when one eliminated home cook returns to the kitchen, the Top 7 compete in an intense egg battle, as they work their way through a series of challenges that get progressively difficult. The home cooks who make it to the final round go head-to-head as they prepare one of the most intimidating egg dishes a chef can master in order to secure their safety in the competition. The remaining six home cooks vying for the title of MASTERCHEF CANADA and the $100,000 cash prize are:

• Aaron Polsky, a director of operations, from Montréal, Qué.
• Barrie McConachie, an employee relations consultant, from Vancouver, B.C.
• Mai Nguyen, a health and safety advisor, from Edmonton, Alta.
• Miranda Wasstrom, a corporate safety administrator, from Edmonton, Alta.
• Thea VanHerwaarden, a broker, from Vancouver, B.C.
• Trevor Connie, a plumber/gas fitter, from Edmonton, Alta.

MASTERCHEF CANADA airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV GO, and on demand the following day. Episodes encore Saturdays at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two, Sundays at 5 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and Sundays at 7 p.m. ET on Gusto. Fans are invited to visit CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada throughout the season for exclusive content, including background on the home cooks and the MASTERCHEF CANADA judges, as well as interviews, recipes, and more. Viewers can also find an exclusive interview with Jamie Oliver, new to CTV.ca this week. Seasons 2 and 3 of MASTERCHEF CANADA are currently streaming on CraveTV™, and in encore broadcasts on Gusto. The MASTERCHEF format and finished programmes are represented internationally by Endemol Shine Group, and is based on a format originally created by Franc Roddam.  MASTERCHEF CANADA is produced by Proper Television in association with CTV. Proper’s Vice-President and Creative Director Cathie James is the show runner and executive producer; Marike Emery is the Series Producer; President of Proper Television, Guy O’Sullivan, is the executive producer. For Bell Media, Danielle Pearson is Manager, Original Programming, Factual and Reality; Robin Johnston is Director, Original Programming, Factual and Reality; Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Original Programming. Pat DiVittorio is Vice-President, CTV and Specialty Programming; Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Content and Programming. Randy Lennox is President, Bell Media