The kitchen heats up for another season of 'Masterchef'

CEBU, Philippines - The renowned show which broadcasts culinary skills and of talented individuals is back again with award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich, and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot for the third installment of the smash hit MasterChef.

The initial stage has already taken place, sizing out almost 30,000 hopefuls attempting to make their way onto the show. Of those who have taken the chance, the best and brightest amateur cooks have been flown to Los Angeles where they will begin their journey to become the next MasterChef, earn themselves $250,000 and an experience of a lifetime.

This exciting season will bring forward 23 unique individuals representing 23 different states, coming from various locations and occupations. A stock broker, professional opera singer, emergency physician, food photographer and plastic surgeon are among the few to be selected for the show, as well as the first ever blind cook to partake in the competition. Each aspirant will battle fiercely to turn their dreams into reality.

The show has been immensely popular since its reintroduction in the United Kingdom in 2005, which spurned multiple international formats across the globe, reaching countries such as Australia, Finland, Germany, South Africa and Vietnam.  

MasterChef Season 3 premieres this Saturday (September 15) and Sunday (September 16) at 1:00 PM, two new episodes back-to-back every week on the Lifestyle Network.

Regular schedule is as follows: Saturdays and Sundays (Premiere) at 1:00 PM, Mondays at 10:00 PM, and Wednesdays at 5:00 PM. (FREEMAN)