MasterChef Season 4 FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of cooks are you looking for?

We are on a nationwide search for talented amateur cooks from all types
of backgrounds, and with a range of cooking styles to audition for season
4. Whether you enjoy cooking delightful desserts or hefty main courses,
whether you cook fine French cuisine or prefer a great tasting burger, we
want to hear from you. If cooking is your passion, you cannot miss out
on this opportunity. Now’s the time to turn in your desk job and follow
your culinary dream – take this first step: fill in the application form,
cook your favorite dish, and head down to an open call.

APPLICANT RESTRICTIONS

Are there any restrictions to apply?

1. You must be 18 years or older on or before January 1, 2013 and
not a minor in your state of residence.
2. You must also be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the
United States.
3. Your current main source of income cannot come from preparing
and cooking fresh food in a professional environment (restaurants,
hotels, food trucks, catering etc).

How do I apply to be on MasterChef 4?

Please go to www.masterchefcasting.com for open call locations and
times. We encourage everyone to attend an open call in one of the cities
that will be posted on our site. We also encourage all applicants to
complete the application form online and bring a signed hard copy to the
open call. If you are unable to complete or print the online form, we will
distribute hard copies at the open call.

If you are absolutely unable to attend an open call (although we would love
to see you there), you may also submit a home video to be considered.
Instructions can be found at www.masterchefcasting.com. If you
choose to make a video, you are encouraged to either complete an online
application and upload your video submission OR download the application
from the website and follow the instructions on where to send in your
materials. Please follow the home video instructions carefully.

When is the deadline to upload or send in the application form and
video submission?

The deadline is November 30, 2012

Should I send in a video submission if I plan to attend the open call?
No, it is not necessary if you attend an open call. We only ask that you
send in or upload a video submission to our website if you cannot attend
an open call. Please note that we receive thousands of video
submissions so make sure yours stands out!

After the open call, when will I know if I’m moving on to the second
round?

Those who are selected for callbacks will be told at the time of their
audition or shortly thereafter. Callbacks will be scheduled approximately
1-3 days after the open call.

If I am selected to participate on the show, what is my time
commitment?

If you are selected to be on the show, you must be available to commit
yourself to the competition and taping of this show for approximately 9
weeks between the months of January and April 2013, depending on how
far you advance in the competition, but dates are subject to change at
Producer’s sole discretion.

OPEN CALL INFO

What do I need to bring to the open call?

1. Application (go to www.masterchefcasting.com. Fill out the online
application and print out and bring with you to an open call.
2. One prepared dish (see below).

You must serve one plate of food to food experts. You will not have
access to any equipment to heat your food and we will not supply you
with any dishes, etc. You must bring your own utensils including the
plate, knives, forks, spoons, etc. You will only be given a few minutes to
plate your dish (once you get into the audition room) so bring whatever it
is you need to do that!

Please think carefully about the food that you bring, and how you will
transport it to the open call, especially if you are traveling from afar.
Please also take into consideration that you must be able to carry
everything you need into the audition room. No plate of food, no entry
to the open call.

Will I be facing the food experts alone at the open call?

You will be going into the audition room in groups, so we highly suggest
you start off with a bang and submit a great application and a stunning
dish! Producers reserve the right to modify allotted times for auditions
at their sole discretion.

Will the food experts eat every plate of food presented to them?

At least one food expert will try to taste every plate of food presented to
him or her in the audition room. There may be reasons that a food
expert is unable to taste every dish - e.g. allergies, or if a food expert
deems the dish to be inedible!

What kind of plate of food shall I bring?

You can bring any dish, as long as it is presented on one plate. But
remember, you will be evaluated on this dish, so make sure you think
carefully about it. Maybe it’s your signature dish or a recipe handed
down through generations of your family or maybe it’s you on a plate –
whatever you decide to bring, make sure it says something about you!

Please remember you will have a short amount of time to plate the dish
at a table and if you take longer, there is a chance you will be sent to the
back of the line.

What should I wear to the open call?

You can wear anything you like, as long as it doesn’t have a logo, photo,
artwork, name of a recognizable celebrity, band, or other group, or a
product brand name. Wear something that best represents you!

When and where will the auditions be held?

For the most up to date information please CLICK HERE. Will everyone
in line have the opportunity to audition on the audition day?

We would love to audition everyone that shows up; however, this may not
be possible due to the tight production schedule. We cannot guarantee
that everyone will be given the opportunity to audition, but we will try our
best to see everyone that shows up.

If we are unable to see everyone the day of the auditions, don’t worry!
We are diligent about getting everyone’s contact information at the open
call and will try to follow up with all who attend. We encourage you to
apply online at www.masterchefcasting.com.

Do you charge for the auditions?

No, auditions are free.

Is there a charge for parking at the venue(s)?

There may be a parking fee at the venue. The parking fees are set and
collected by the venue manager. We have nothing to do with the parking
fees or facilities. It is highly likely that you will have to pay for parking
each time you come in and out of the parking structure. For example, if
you leave the parking structure to go out and purchase food and then
return, you will probably have to pay again.

Will there be anywhere to purchase food and drinks while in line at the
audition venue?

Food and drinks will not be available for purchase at the venue, so please
bring your own water and snacks. Please be sure to eat something prior
to coming to the registration and the audition in order to keep your
energy level up. Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the
day and this could be the most important audition of your life!

What should I NOT bring with me to the auditions?

The list of prohibited items below is not exhaustive and even if an item is
not listed below, the producers and security reserve the right to ask you
to remove any such item from the venue. People in possession of
prohibited items will be denied admission to the line and to the venue,
and may be subject to immediate disqualification. All bags are subject to
search.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Air mattresses
• Alcoholic beverages
• Animals (unless health related)
• Candles
• Cans or bottles (except water bottles)
• Chairs that do not fold (i.e. lawn chairs, chaise lounges, molded
plastic chairs)
• Digital or still cameras
• Fireworks
• Hair dryers
• Illegal drugs
• Tents
• Video cameras or camcorders of any kind
• Weapons of any kind
• No children under the age of 13 years are allowed at the
audition venues.

Please note that the audition day will be a very long day with a lot of
standing/waiting and it is not a suitable place for young children.
Please do yourselves a favor and arrange for childcare if you are
coming to the audition. For child welfare reasons, people
accompanied by young children may be asked to leave the audition
venue.

Please note that audition times and dates, application submission
deadlines, and other information contained herein is subject to change
as determined by the producers. All those considered for the series
will be required to submit and sign additional documents (which may
include, without limitation, a participant agreement, waiver, and
series rules) in order to be considered to participate in the series. If
there is any conflict between the information on this website and
these additional documents, the documents shall control. The food
experts shall be selected by the producer of the series in its sole and
absolute discretion and the decision of the producer of the series is
final in all respects.

Thank you and GOOD LUCK!!!