Vernon dental hygienist Jennifer Innis has received her white apron.
Innis is among six home-based chefs from B.C. who made it past the audition round and through to the top 16 in the second season of the televised cooking competition, MasterChef Canada, which premiered on CTV after the Superbowl Feb. 1.
In the start of season 2 of the hit reality show, MasterChef Canada judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile narrowed down the 25 remaining competitors to reveal the top 16.
After nine finalists automatically moved into the top 16, including Innis, who won the judges over with her blueberry, basil and cheese pie, the remaining home cooks faced off in their first stress test to further narrow down the field.
Filmed in the summer and fall, Innis says she has been reliving the competition, which has now aired twice, and says watching the show with her family, including three young daughters, is just as intense as being on it.
“In real life it took almost an hour (for the judges to make their decision). We were all sweating and sweating and our names weren’t being called… I thought, we can’t be going home already. We were then told they were so impressed with our dishes, that we were going straight to the top 16 and to the gallery to watch the rest compete. It was pretty intense. It was hard to see some of the people go home that week.”
A self-proclaimed chatterbox, Innis can be heard during the show taking a few good-natured jabs at her fellow contestant Michael Motamedi (whom she calls Mr. Moustache) while he competes in the stress test.
“He was a bit arrogant, telling the judges his dish would cost $45 in a restaurant,” laughed Innis.
This week’s episode sees the beginning of the elimination rounds
“It’s going to get a lot more intense and a lot more crazy… The gloves are off,” said Innis. “This next week is a little colourful for myself. I am really anxious to see how it comes together.”
Innis’ fellow B.C.-based challengers include Jon Hameister-Ries, a former pro football player, now financial advisor from Vancouver, as well as Vancouver recording artist Cody Karey, Surrey concrete contractor David Jorge, public relations officer Debra Pangestu, of Richmond, and Agassiz retail clerk Tammy Wood. They join the others from across Canada for the chance to win the $100,000 cash prize and the chance to be named Canada’s next MasterChef.
MasterChef Canada Season 2 airs Sundays at 7 p.m. PT on CTV.
