‘MasterChef’ Renewed for Season 14; Gordon Ramsay, Fox and Studio Execs Talk Competition’s Impact on Food TV Ahead of 250th Episode (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Gordon Ramsay’s “MasterChef” has been renewed for a 14th season at Fox ahead of airing its milestone 250th episode Wednesday at 8 p.m. “I cannot believe 250 episodes have flown by since we started this journey in 2010,” Ramsay told Variety. “For me, seeing the growth of home cooking firsthand over the last 13 years has been absolutely extraordinary, and a testament to the power of the show.” On the currently airing 13th season of the Endemol Shine North America-produced cooking competition, which is based on a format created by Franc Roddam that has been adapted more than 60 times globally, host Ramsay is judging alongside Aarón Sánchez and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich, who will both return to their posts for Season 14.

This season’s twist is a “United Tastes of America” theme, which has brought together the top home cooks from four parts of America (West, Northeast, Midwest and South) to represent their regions in a slew of challenges and, in the end, one will be granted a cash prize of $250,000 and the title of America’s MasterChef. “For the last 13 seasons ‘MasterChef’ has chronicled the transformation of foodyism in America,” Bastianich said. “The home cooks treat the competition like a culinary master class, learning and growing from our guidance.

And frankly, the skill level has never been higher, with impressive innovation and a passion for local ingredients, it’s been a joy to be a part of this iconic series from the very beginning.” Debuting in 2010 on Fox, just four years after main competitor “Top Chef” premiered on Bravo, “MasterChef” is the longest-running competitive cooking reality TV series on broadcast television. “MasterChef” Season 13 is currently averaging 3.1.