First MasterChef Asia series to be shot in S’pore

SINGAPORE — Get ready for MasterChef Asia.

A+E Networks Asia has greenlighted the pan-regional Asian version of the hit reality cooking contest MasterChef, which will debut on the Lifetime channel later this year. There have previously been country-specific versions, such as in India, Korea, Malaysia and Pakistan.

Filming will be held in Singapore, with production company Endemol Southeast Asia commissioned to produce the 15-episode series, said the network in a statement released today (Feb 12).

The search for contestants has begun and amateur cooks aspiring to be the first MasterChef Asia can submit their audition videos at http://masterchefasia.com until March 5.

Presented by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Knorr, in association with Panasonic and Changi Airport Group, the series is A+E Networks’ most significant local commission to date and “a sign of our commitment to the Asian production community,” said Prem Kamath, deputy managing director for Asia-Pacific.

STB assistant chief executive Lynette Pang added: “Even as we celebrate our multi-cultural culinary heritage, this new series will help highlight a new generation of future Asian and Singaporean MasterChefs. Against the backdrop of our vibrant cityscape and culinary gems such as hawker centres and celebrity chef restaurants, viewers can look forward to a showcase of Singapore’s best culinary delights today.”

MasterChef Asia will feature three judges, to be named at a future date, alongside contestants selected from across Asia.

Lifetime currently shows MasterChef editions from Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The series was originally revived as MasterChef Goes Large in 2005 in the United Kingdom.