MasterChef USA facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MasterChef USA |
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| Presented by | Gary Rhodes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Elizabeth Brock |
| Running time | 30-60 minutes per episode |
| Release | |
| Original network | PBS |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Original release | 1 April 2000 – 30 June 2001 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | MasterChef (US TV series) |
MasterChef USA was an exciting American cooking competition show. It aired on PBS from 2000 to 2001. The show was hosted by the famous chef Gary Rhodes.
This version of MasterChef was based on the original British show from the BBC. Gary Rhodes also hosted the British version in 2001. The American show had two seasons, where amateur cooks battled to become the best.
The first season started on April 1, 2000. It had 13 half-hour episodes and one special hour-long episode. After many auditions, 27 contestants were chosen. Nancy Vaziri, an office manager from Homewood, Illinois, won the title of MasterChef 2000.
The second season began on April 7, 2001. It also had 13 half-hour episodes and one special. Again, 27 contestants competed. Geoffrey Hill, a business owner from Evanston, Illinois, was named MasterChef 2001.
Contents
Behind the Scenes: Making the Show
The British MasterChef show was very popular. Because of its success, PBS decided to create an American version. They worked with a company called West 175 to make it happen.
When it was time to find a host, executive producer Elizabeth Brock really wanted British chef Gary Rhodes. She thought he was "so alive on camera." She also believed he was great at sharing his cooking knowledge in a fun way.
How the Competition Worked
For the first nine weeks, twenty-seven cooks from different parts of the country competed. Each challenge involved making their best original two-course meal. The meal had to cost less than $60.00 and be cooked in just two and a half hours.
Nine contestants were chosen to move on to the next round. There, they competed against other cooks from different regions. From those nine, only three would make it to the grand finale. The winner would earn the special title of MasterChef.
Season 1: The First Winner
In the first season, 27 cooks fought for a spot in the semi-finals. Cooks from different regions like the Southwest, Southeast, and Northwest competed in groups of three. Larger regions like the Midwest, West, and Northeast had six cooks competing in two-part challenges.
By May 27, 2000, all 27 cooks were revealed. In the end, Nancy Vaziri from Homewood, Illinois, who was a medical office manager, became MasterChef 2000. She won an amazing trip to CuisinArt Resort and Spa. She also received a $1000 Williams Sonoma gift certificate. Other prizes included a subscription to the International Association of Culinary Professionals and a chance to write for Bon Appétit magazine.
- Winner: Nancy Vaziri (Illinois)
- Runner-up: Lynne Champion (California)
- Third Place: Stephen Both (Delaware)
Season 2: The Next Champion
The second season followed a similar path to the first. Again, 27 cooks battled for a spot in the semi-finals. The regional cook-offs were set up the same way.
On June 2, 2001, the full list of 27 cooks was announced. Finally, Geoffrey Hill, a small business owner from Evanston, Illinois, was crowned MasterChef 2001. His prizes included a two-week, all-expenses-paid trip to the Cuisinarts Caribbean resort. He also won Le Creuset cookware, a $1000 Williams-Sonoma gift certificate, and other cooking-related prizes.
- Winner: Geoffrey Hill (Illinois)
- Runner-up: David Ross (Washington)
- Third Place: Lala Cheema (Florida)
Guest Judges
Each cooking challenge on MasterChef USA had two special guest judges. These judges were often famous chefs, food writers, or other well-known personalities. Here are some of the people who helped decide who would be the next MasterChef:
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The MasterChef Show Returns
On July 27, 2010, the Fox network launched a new cooking show. It was also called MasterChef. This new show was hosted and judged by famous British chef Gordon Ramsay. American restaurant owners Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot also judged. This new MasterChef followed a more modern format, similar to the updated British version of the show.
