The taste! The aroma! The drama!

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Courtesy CTV

For all my rice burning, too much salt using, overcooking friends out there, the time has come for another round of MASTERCHEF CANADA! Canada’s favorite culinary competition is in their 6^th season, and they return with a two-hour premiere on April 8^th, broadcasting on CTV.  MASTERCHEF CANADA has landed two nominations for the 2019 Canada Screen Awards including “Best Reality/Competition Series.” It is no surprise because since opening its doors in 2004, Proper Television – who is the producer behind MASTERCHEF CANADA – has become one of Canada’s most successful production companies. They have strategically worked across a wide range of genres, and are responsible for over 600 hours of reality, lifestyle, and documentary programming.

This season, over a thousand promising chefs auditioned for only 18 spots; these 18 spots have been filled with cooks from all walks of life. This year – along with our soon to be local celebrity- stands an: international figure skater, a cyber security analyst, a car salesman, and an entrepreneur. This year they will be competing for a chance to be one of six titleholders and take home the $100,000 cash prize.

The contestant’s culinary expertise will be tested each episode through a series of Mystery Box Challenges, Team Challenges, and Pressure Tests. They have their work cut out for them this year because the contestants have to face some tough judges. They include Michael Bonacini (O&B restaurant empire), Alvin Leung (Bo Innovation in Hong Kong), and Claudio Aprile (Copetin Restaurant & Bar). The judges will be responsible for eliminating a different chef each week until only two remain, who will battle during the finale for a chance to take home $100,000.

Why should our Torontonians, especially those who represent the Scarborough area be excited about this? Well, that is a great story.

Let me introduce to you Andre Bhagwandat, an employee of Toronto General Hospital, and our community representative this year on MASTERCHEF CANADA. He was born in Scarborough and traveled back and forth from the land of his decedents, Jamaica. He had the fortune of experience to complete different school systems, both here, and back in Jamaica, but he finally ended up settling in Scarborough, where he lived with his Auntie Joan.

There were five members living in the house at the time, and Auntie Joan was not playing. She made sure that every member of that family had to help out, and that included cooking. Andre’s cooking day was Mondays, and one rule of the family was regardless of how the food tasted, they would all have to eat it. Andre admits to being nervous his first cooking attempt. He was 13 or 14 years old, and he figured he would make something that he had seen his family members make both here and back in Jamaica; curry chicken. The family sat down to eat, and the only comment his aunt made to him was, “Maybe you need more salt next time!” Andre had put in every ingredient except the salt. Easy beginners mistake, but he still laughs at it till this day.

Each and every Monday, Andre would try something new. Once he had mastered the curry, he decided to upgrade to roti. For some reason, Andre had this thing about missing key ingredients. This time, he kept forgetting to put baking soda. When talking about this, Andre chuckled; each time he would forget the baking soda, he would notice that there were no bubbles, just flat roti. Of course, Auntie made them eat it anyway.

Over time, Andre began to evolve as a cook, and he took on grilling, which meant jerk everything: jerk chicken, jerk pork, you name it, he could jerk it. People in his family and in his community began to see that this young man had some skills in the kitchen. Interestingly enough, creating is just something that Andre is able to do. He is known in his family as being the Jack-of-all-Trades; he has dabbled in: house renovations, drawing, sewing, and painting.

A lucky young woman saw the greatness of this young man and decided that she would marry him. Good call girl! Andre retells how, and why he even considered joining MASTERCHEF CANADA. He and his wife were watching Amazing Race when the casting call appeared on the screen. His wife, who he dutifully cooks for because she has to pull 12-hour shifts at the hospital, saw this as an opportunity for Andre to showcase his skills. He had never thought of doing something like this, but he knew with the support of his family and community, anything was possible. Andre auditioned and was chosen as one of the 18 contestants.

Let us support this young man by tuning in on Monday, April 8^th  beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV. The show will settle into its regular Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT timeslot. Viewers can then stream all episodes anytime on CTV.ca and the CTV app. This season, fans are invited to visit CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada for exclusive content, including background on the Season 6 finalists. Andre, the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper team stands behind you, and we know you will be successful.