Sixth Home Cook of Season 5 Exits the MASTERCHEF CANADA Kitchen on CTV

Jen Jenkins from Dawson Creek, B.C., is the sixth home cook eliminated from the competition.

The pressure was on as esteemed MASTERCHEF CANADA judges Michael Bonacini, Claudio Aprile, and Alvin Leung revealed that Jen Jenkins, a stay at home mom from Dawson Creek, B.C., would be the sixth home cook to relinquish her apron and depart the MASTERCHEF CANADA Kitchen. With seven home cooks remaining in the competition, MASTERCHEF CANADA returns next week at a special time on Tuesday, May 22 at 8 p.m. ET / MT on CTV and CTV GO. The Top 7 home cooks gathered for a Team Challenge in Kleinburg, Ont., at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, home to the iconic Group of Seven. To their surprise, Kaegan Donnelly from Vancouver, B.C., rejoined the home cooks after emerging as the MASTERCHEF CANADA: REDEMPTION winner. During MASTERCHEF CANADA: REDEMPTION, three eliminated home cooks, selected by the judges, battled in two head-to-head challenges for a chance to reclaim their white apron. After being split into two teams, led by Beccy and Eugene, they had to create a three-course tasting menu inspired by the Group of Seven for seven esteemed recipients of the Order of Canada: renowned Canadian television icon, CTV News Special Correspondent Lloyd Robertson, Social Entrepreneur Roxanne Joyal, Humanitarian Marc Kielburger, ground-breaking Surgeon Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Singer/Songwriter Murray McLauchlan, Author and Corporate Leader Denise Donlan, and award-winning Author Erna Paris. The three courses were defined by the themes found in the Group of Seven’s work: land, sea, and sky. During the third course, chaos descended and the Red Team fell apart, Chef Alvin intervened and motivated the home cooks. They managed to cook, plate, and serve their third dish in time. After conferring with the esteemed guests, the judges declared the winner in a very close call: the Red Team. The home cooks returned to the MASTERCHEF CANADA Kitchen, with the Red Team (Eugene, Andy, Michael G., and Nadia) retreating to the safety of the gallery. Beccy, Marissa, Jen, and Kaegan had to compete in the Pressure Test / Replication Challenge. During the challenge, the home cooks had to replicate oysters prepared three different ways. The first was a Japanese-inspired sake poached oyster with Asian pear slaw and shelled lobster claw. The second was a raw oyster topped with mignonette sauce, champagne jelly, and red tobiko, and the third was an oyster Rockefeller with béchamel spinach purée, sautéed oyster mushrooms with panko crumbs. In an unexpected twist, the judges announced an impromptu oyster shucking competition. Marissa shucked the most oysters in 3 minutes and was saved both from cooking, and elimination. Kaegan, Jen, and Beccy selected their three best oysters and were given 35 minutes to cook and complete the Replication Challenge. Kaegan displayed humbleness as he sought true redemption through this challenge. Beccy is seemingly unflappable; she cooked with quiet, calm determination. Each of the home cooks had hits and misses with their replicated dishes, but ultimately the MASTERCHEF CANADA judges sent Jen home. Despite being eliminated, Jen exited the MASTERCHEF CANADA Kitchen having earned the respect of the Judges and her fellow home cooks. In the next all-new episode of MASTERCHEF CANADA, “Cooking with (Corner) Gas” (airing at a special time on Tuesday, May 22 at 8 p.m. ET / MT on CTV and CTV GO), the seven remaining MASTERCHEF CANADA home cooks are presented with a massive Mystery Box Challenge and receive a surprise when they are asked to prepare an elevated diner dish inspired by the cast of the hit comedy CORNER GAS ANIMATED. Then, the competition intensifies as the home cooks take on a classic MASTERCHEF CANADA Tag Team Challenge, leading to elimination. The remaining Top 7 home cooks vying for the title of MASTERCHEF CANADA and the $100,000 cash prize are:

• Eugene Cheng, Financial Advisor and Rowing Coach from Vancouver, B.C.
• Kaegan Donnelly, Software Sales from Vancouver, B.C.
• Michael Griffiths, Mathematician from Richmond Hill, Ont.
• Andy Hay, Small Business Owner from Dartmouth, N.S.
• Marissa Leon-John, Tech Support Manager from Dollard–des–Ormeaux, Qué.
• Nadia Rehman, Account Executive from Markham, Ont.
• Beccy Stables, Tile Setter Assistant from Sherwood Park, Alta.

Fans are invited to visit CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada throughout the season for exclusive content, including background on this season’s finalists and the MASTERCHEF CANADA judges, as well as interviews, recipes, and more. CTV.ca also offers viewers behind-the-scenes glimpses of this season’s challenges, culinary creations, triumphs, and upsets. Throughout Season 5, viewers across the country can satisfy their MASTERCHEF CANADA cravings by tuning to the series’ previous seasons, now streaming on CraveTV™. Following the finale of Season 5 on CTV, the current season of MASTERCHEF CANADA will be available in its entirety on CraveTV, and is also slated to air on Gusto this summer (check local listings). Season 5 of MASTERCHEF CANADA has also partnered with Chefs Plate and SPLENDA^® Sweeteners. 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 Co-President Cathie James is the Executive Producer and Showrunner and Co-President Lesia Capone is Executive Producer. For Bell Media, Tina Apostolopoulos is Production Executive; 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 President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Bell Media. SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Twitter: #MasterChefCanada @CTV_PR @CTV_Television @MasterChefCDA Michael Bonachini – @Michael Bonacini Alvin Leung – @TheDemonChef Claudio Aprile – @ClaudioAprile Facebook: Facebook.com/CTV Facebook.com/MasterChefCDA Instagram: @ctv_pr @ctv_television @MasterChefCDA Eugene Cheng – @eugeneacheng Kaegan Donnelly – @kaegan Michael Griffiths – @michaelsfoodexperience Andy Hay – @andyseastcoastkitchen_ Marissa Leon-John – @mdominique Nadia Rehman – @nadzland Beccy Stables – @beccystables