(26 May 2015, Singapore) – A+E Networks® Asia announced today a line-up of judges for the inaugural season of MasterChef Asia. The panel includes Hong Kong-born, culinary genius Susur Lee; 3-Michelin Starred chef Bruno Ménard; and culinary TV personality and Singapore-born, Audra Morrice, a MasterChef Australia finalist.
Susur Lee has been referred to as the “Father of Fusion” and has won numerous culinary awards including Food and Wine magazine’s “Ten Chefs of the Millenium” and the 5-Star Diamond award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. He is the owner-chef of four highly-rated restaurants in Canada including LEE, Luckee, Bent and LEE Kitchen in Toronto, as well as TungLok Heen in Singapore. For 20 years, he has been the Executive Consulting Chef for the TungLok Group, which owns over 40 restaurants in Asia.
Chef Bruno Ménard earned 3 Michelin Stars at L’Osier, a Tokyo-based restaurant that has been voted one of the top French restaurants outside of France. Bruno has spent 20 years establishing some of the best restaurants in Asia and currently runs a top-tier culinary consulting firm in Singapore. He was born in France to a chocolatier father and a patissier grandfather. He brings to the show deep culinary expertise and an unparalleled passion and energy for gastronomy.
Audra Morrice has been described as the next Martha Stewart of Asia. Her success on MasterChef Australia cemented her career in food and launched her into the world of culinary TV. Audra owns a successful catering business, hosts pop-up restaurant events and conducts South East Asian cooking classes. She will publish her highly anticipated cookbook and launch her own range of artisanal food products. Born in Singapore of Indian and Chinese descent, Audra is currently based in Australia.
“MasterChef Asia underlines our commitment to creating world-class programming on Lifetime for audiences across Asia,” said Prem Kamath, Deputy Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, A+E Networks Asia. “We’re thrilled to align with such an accomplished and celebrated team of chef judges who also have deep Asian roots.”
MasterChef Asia’s 15-episode series will feature aspiring home-cooks from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
“We considered many chefs from around Asia and overseas to find the right combination of knowledge, passion, charisma and warmth,” said Michele Schofield, Senior Vice President, Programming & Production, A+E Networks Asia. “Susur brings stellar Asian food expertise and extensive technical knowledge, while Bruno has undisputed Michelin-rated credentials based in classic French cuisine. Audra’s cooking is rooted in South Asian cuisine as well as pastry; she has a unique relatability to the contestants and is testament to the opportunity that MasterChef offers home cooks.”
MasterChef Asia is being produced in Singapore and is set to air in 2015. Season 1 is presented by the Singapore Tourism Board and Knorr, in association with Panasonic, Changi Airport Group and Carlton Hotel Singapore.
Based on an original format by Franc Roddam and represented internationally by Endemol Shine Group, MasterChef is the most travelled food format in the world having sold to 52 territories and counting.
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About Lifetime®
Lifetime is a premier female-focused entertainment destination dedicated to offering the highest quality original programming spanning scripted series, non-fiction series and movies. As a result of the network’s aggressive programming strategy that has doubled the hours of its original programming, in 2014 the network reached its strongest ranking among the key Women 18-49 demo in six years and its youngest median age in 18 years. Lifetime Television®, LMN®, Lifetime Real Women® and Lifetime Digital™ are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation.
About A+E Networks®
A+E Networks® is one of the world’s leading media companies and America’s second largest cable television network. A+E Networks’ channels are watched all over the world, reaching more than 330 million subscribers in over 200 territories. A+E Networks is a joint venture of Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation. Its networks and divisions include A&E®, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, LMN®, bio.®, H2™, HISTORY en Español™, LRW®, Crime + Investigation™, Military HISTORY®, A&E IndieFilms®, A+E Networks International®, A+E Networks Digital®, and A+E Networks Consumer Products®.
ABOUT ENDEMOL SHINE GROUP
Endemol Shine Group is the new joint venture bringing together Endemol, Shine and CORE Media, to create a global content creator, producer and distributor with a portfolio of international hits including American Idol, Big Brother, Black Mirror, Broadchurch, Bron/Broen, Deal or No Deal, Grantchester, Man vs. Food, MasterChef, Mr. Bean, One Born Every Minute, Peaky Blinders, So You Think You Can Dance, The Biggest Loser, The Fall, The Money Drop, Wipeout, and many more.
21st Century Fox and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC jointly manage Endemol Shine Group, with each owning 50 per cent. CORE Media continues to retain its own capital structure within the new joint venture.
Endemol Shine Group’s businesses have creative operations in over 30 markets, with a diverse portfolio of over 600 revenue generating formats across scripted and non-scripted genres; coupled with digital, gaming, and distribution operations.
About the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a leading economic development agency in tourism, one of Singapore’s key service sectors. Known for partnership, innovation and excellence, STB champions tourism, making it a key economic driver for Singapore. We aim to differentiate and market Singapore as a must-visit destination offering a concentration of user-centric and enriching experiences through the “YourSingapore” brand. For more information, please visit www.stb.gov.sg or www.yoursingapore.com.
About Knorr
In 1838, Carl Heinrich Knorr moved to the German city of Heilbronn where he opened a factory and experimented with food drying techniques in order to preserve and guarantee quality, flavour and freshness.
Over time, Knorr has built on Carl Heinrich Knorr’s innovation legacy from the advent of the stock cube in 1910, to stock pots and bake-in-bags over the 21st century. Today, Knorr still defines itself by those same high standards of quality, flavour and freshness. Knorr is one of the world’s largest food brands, sold in more than 87 countries around the world. Based in Heilbronn, Germany, Knorr is Unilever’s largest brand, with a yearly sales value of 4 billion Euros.
At Knorr, we are dedicated to delivering great tasting products. Iconic bouillon cubes and soups are at the heart of the brand. Knorr chefs are culinary experts and creators of Knorr products. Knorr employs over 300 chefs representing over 48 nationalities and is one of the biggest employers of professional chefs worldwide. We are committed to a sustainable future through sourcing agricultural ingredients responsibly and building sustainable practices. As part of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, Knorr has committed to source 100% of their agricultural ingredients sustainably by 2020.
For more information about Unilever and its brands, please visit www.unilever.com.
About Panasonic Asia Pacific
Panasonic Asia Pacific provides the whole range of the brand’s products and solutions across the South East Asia and Pacific (APAC) region. The company focuses on promoting its Business-to-Business portfolio, such as in the field of energy solutions, whilst maintaining solid Business-to-Consumer growth, in line with the group’s global direction.
The region has 45 manufacturing sites, which hold as a key hub for Panasonic’s global production activities supporting the consumer, solutions and components and devices business. Based in Singapore, Panasonic Asia Pacific regional headquarter encourages locally-initiated energy solutions partnerships and businesses. In this fiscal year, the headquarters will also strengthen the company’s foothold in emerging markets. Panasonic Asia Pacific will continue to promote green innovation and reduce its regional carbon dioxide emissions footprint in support of Panasonic’s global eco initiatives.
About Changi Airport Group
Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) (www.changiairportgroup.com) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) followed on 1 July 2009. As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services. CAG also manages Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) and through its subsidiary Changi Airports International, invests in and manages foreign airports.
Changi Airport is the world’s sixth busiest airport for international traffic. It served a record 54.1 million passengers from around the globe in 2014. More than 350 retail stores and 160 F&B outlets are situated across three terminals to cater to passengers and visitors. With over 100 airlines providing connectivity to 300 cities worldwide, Changi Airport handles about 6,600 flights every week, or about one every 90 seconds.
About Carlton Hotel Singapore
Carlton Hotel Singapore is the largest independent hotel in Singapore that combines international standards with exceptional service and local charm. Carlton Hotel offers 940 well-appointed rooms with 13 function rooms, award-winning Wah Lok Cantonese restaurant, all-day dining Café Mosaic, Tuxedo Cafe & Pâtisserie, Gravity Bar, a gym and swimming pool. Every part of the hotel experience is crafted to celebrate modern Singapore and dedicated to the comfort of our guests.
Visit www.carltonhotel.sg for more information. Find us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/CarltonHotelSG