Aarón Sánchez Returning for Second Season of Warner Bros. Discovery’s LA Restaurant Series “El Toque de Aarón”

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Aarón Sánchez still has the touch…

The 48-year-old Mexican-American celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, cookbook author and philanthropist will return to Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) U.S. Hispanic for more of his Los Angeles restaurant series El Toque de Aarón.

The second season will premiere next month on Discovery Familia and sister network Hogar de HGTV.

In El Toque de Aarón, the celebrity chef – who has been judging Fox’s MasterChef since 2017 takes a Latino-owned LA restaurant each week and attempts to provide the owners with mentorship and a pathway to refresh their businesses.

Sánchez is joined by designer Cris Mercado and project manager Ángel Riveros, as the trio look to get restaurants full of untapped potential back up and running.

El Toque de Aarón is produced in partnership with GroupM and Mecenas-owned outfit Cocina. The show is WBD U.S. Hispanic’s fourth content partnership in the past 24 months with Cocina and its third with Sánchez, who co-founded Cocina as a vehicle to connect with U.S. Hispanic fans. Other titles include El Sabor de Aarón, Qatar Latino and Rumbo Al Mundial.

“Cocina is committed to producing content that resonates deeply with our audience, and El Toque de Aarón stands as a prime example of our vision,” said Emiliano Saccone, CEO of Mecenas. “This series not only entertains but also represents real, positive transformation within the Latino restaurant community.”

Fox Renews Aaron Sanchez’s “MasterChef” for 14th Season

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Aarón Sánchez isn’t leaving the kitchen just yet…

Fox has renewed its long-running competition series MasterChef, featuring the 47-year-old Mexican-American award-winning celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, cookbook author and philanthropist, for Season 14.

The announcement comes ahead of the show’s 250th episode.

Gordon Ramsay will return as host alongside co-hosts and judges Sánchez and restaurateur Joe Bastianich on the show, which is based on the BBC format.

The series’ 13th season is known as MasterChef: United Tastes of America and sees the trip judge a cook off from home cooks from four parts of the U.S.

Judges have included Daphne Oz, Graham Elliot, Susan Feniger, Tiffany Derry, Andre Rush and Kelsey Murphy.

MasterChef is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam.

Endemol Shine North America Options Aaron Sanchez’s Memoir to Develop TV Scripted Projects

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Art will soon imitate Aarón Sánchez’s life…

The story of the 45-year-old Mexican celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, cookbook author and philanthropist is headed for the small screen after Endemol Shine North America optioned his memoir.

The Banijay-backed production company is developing potential scripted projects with Sánchez, one of the judges of Fox’s MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, whose memoir Where I Come From: Life Lessons From a Latino Chef was released in 2019.

Endemol Shine North America Chief Content Officer, Sharon Levy is leading development efforts alongside Flavio Morales and Lisa Fahrenholt.

In his memoir, Sánchez shares his personal journey, as well as the story of his mother, Zarela Martinez, who took him and his twin brother from El Paso, Texas to New York City at a young age, while she chased her dream of owning a restaurant in the Big Apple.

After overcoming many obstacles, Martinez rose to success in the NYC restaurant scene and is now credited with bringing sophisticated Mexican cuisine to America. After losing his father at a young age, he was sent to work with renowned chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans at the age of 16. He is now the chef and owner of Johnny Sánchez in New Orleans.

He joined MasterChef, which is produced by Endemol Shine North America, in season 8, and also joined MasterChef Jr. as a judge in season 7.

He is also creative director of Latin lifestyle online platform Cocina and has starred in series such as Chopped and Taco Trip and written two cookbooks and launched the Cooking in Mexican from A to Z podcast with his mother and is also a partner in tattoo shop and museum Daredevil Tattoo in NYC.

“It’s more important than ever to tell genuine stories of what it’s like growing up bicultural in America. We want to share the nuances that are unique to Mexican-American culture and honor those roots, while also hoping audiences from different backgrounds connect to the similarities we share – the struggles, the celebrations, the food, the comedy, the survival instincts… the relentless pursuit of happiness,” said Sánchez. “I came up at a time when food was making its way into pop-culture and cooking in restaurants was our primary form of creative expression, so having this opportunity to develop in the scripted space is something I’m really looking forward to. And I couldn’t be more excited to do it with my Endemol Shine family.”

“America knows and loves Aarón from ‘MasterChef’ and his myriad culinary accomplishments, but most people don’t know the amazing journey and the obstacles that he and his mother overcame to become pioneers of Mexican-American cuisine in this country,” added Levy. “He has truly lived the American dream and we are excited to now be developing his unique story into a dramatic TV series and exploring additional opportunities with Aarón.”

Chef Benito Molina Returning for Next Installment of EstrellaTV’s “MasterChef Latinos”

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Chef Benito Molina is heading back to the kitchen…

The 53-year-old Mexican superstar chef will be returning for the next season of MasterChef Latinos alongside Chef Adrián Herrera and Chef Claudia Sandoval.

The series is set for the first quarter of 2022.

Produced by reality powerhouse Endemol Shine Boomdog for EstrellaTV, the show has also issued a call for chefs interested in competing on the show. Would-be contestants can apply at www.MasterChefEstrellaTV.com.

“We are excited to start production on MasterChef Latinos with three of the most popular and influential chefs as the cornerstone of the series,” said Ivan Stoilkovich, EVP of television content. “Chef Molina, Chef Herrera, and Chef Sandoval each bring a very colorful and unique approach to the culinary arts. The show is now casting throughout the U.S., and we have been seeing some amazing talent. It will be fun to watch them compete to win the title of ‘MasterChef’ and be able to showcase their talents in front of three of the most well-known Latino Chefs in the world.”

“We are thrilled to be teaming with EstrellaTV to bring MasterChef Latinos to the U.S Hispanic audience,” says Endemol Shine Boomdog CEO Alejandro Rincon. “We have tremendous experience producing the world’s most popular food competition series, and we have lined up an amazing team of experienced and skilled chefs to serve as our judges.”

MasterChef Latinos sets out to find the nation’s best amateur cook.

Now produced in over 50 countries worldwide and broadcast in over 200 territories, MasterChef is watched globally by over 250 million viewers and has transformed over 100 amateur chefs to professionals. MasterChef Latinos is based on a format created by Franc Roddam.

Angélica Vale to Host Estrella Studios’ Dating Series “La Máscara Del Amor”

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Angélica Vale is masking up…

The 45-year-old Mexican actress/singer, star of the Mexican adaptation of Ugly Betty, will host the Spanish-language series La Máscara Del Amor.

The original series, which is currently in production at Estrella Studios in Burbank, CA, has been handed a 44-episode order.

It is centered on a single man or woman being wooed through games and challenges by five masked suitors. The contestants move through the challenges with Vale serving as both host and confidante. At the end, it is ultimately up to the main contestant to decide between love or the cash prize at the end of each episode.

It is scheduled to air on May 27 on the Spanish-language broadcaster. It is produced by Estrella Media and Alton River Media, the company which makes MasterChef in the Dominican Republic.

“I’m excited to join the EstrellaTV team in hosting this unique and fun dating show La Máscara Del Amor,” said Vale. “Many of my single friends say how hard it is to meet someone. This series is a new twist on how people make personal love connections beyond typical first date pleasantries. On this show, our contestants will have the opportunity to participate in games and situations that allow them to get to know someone before seeing who is behind the mask. I’m excited to host this unique show and hopefully help these singles make a real love connection.”

“Angélica is a natural fit for this unique role, as it’s a hybrid of hosting and being the fairy godmother to an entertaining group of singles looking for love,” said Ivan Stoilkovich, EVP, TV Programming, Estrella Media. “Our audience looks to us to be entertained, and we love this series because it delivers a unique and fun alternative to the challenge of meeting your true love. We think the audience will love it, and judging from the contestants, we are already rooting for love to happen on this show.”

Cris Abrego Named to Television Academy Foundation’s Board of Directors

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Cris Abrego is joining the Board…

The Television Academy Foundation has added four new members to its board of directors, including the Latino television executive at Endemol Shine.

Abrego will be joined by fellow newcomers to the board: Bunim/Murray Productions co-founder Jonathan Murray, OWN president Tina Perry and composer Rickey Minor.

Abrego is chairman of Endemol Shine Americas, and CEO of Endemol Shine North America. He oversees shows in the U.S. including Big Brother, MasterChef and Lego Masters.

The Television Academy Foundation is the charitable arm of the Television Academy. Its board of directors also includes Netflix’s Cindy Holland, Nina Tassler, Epix’s Michael Wright and Suzanne de Passe.

“Our incoming board members bring extensive business and creative acumen in key sectors of our television industry,” said Madeline Di Nonno, chair of the Television Academy Foundation. “We welcome their thought leadership, strategic guidance and support as the Foundation expands its educational programs and community outreach, which are designed to promote diversity and inclusivity within the television industry and deepen support for the next generation of entertainment leaders.”

Brewster to Compete on the Next Installment of “Masterchef Celebrity Showdown”

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Jordana Brewster is ready to put her best apron forward for charity…

The lineup for the next installment of Masterchef Celebrity Showdown has been announced, with the 36-year-old Brazilian-Panamanian actress among those joining the two-hour charity event set to air January 2 at 8:00 pm on Fox.

Brewster, one of the stars of the The Fast and the Furious film franchise, joins a roster that includes Kal Penn, Anthony Anderson and former NFL stars Ronde Barber and Tiki Barber.

The special will also feature the first ever battle royale between Masterchef judges Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi, with Ramsay teaming up with Anderson to face off against Tosi and Brewster.

Here are the match-ups for the next Masterchef Celebrity Showdown:

Empire stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Byers representing Saving Our Daughters, vs. Nene and Gregg Leakes representing Broadway Cares.

Cheryl Hines cooking for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida, vs. Penn cooking for United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

Ronde and Tiki representing Kulture City, vs. Joel Madden and Benji Madden representing MusiCares.

Anderson and Ramsay representing Watts/Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club, vs. Brewster and Tosi competing for No Kid Hungry.

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