Jan Norris: Food and Florida

Nightmare celeb chef Gordon Ramsay is coming back to South Florida – he’s filmed here before for his Kitchen Nightmares series and others.

Amateur hour

This time, the pros are out, and he’s looking for the great amateur, hobby chefs – those who’ve never worked in a pro kitchen or get their money from catering, etc. He wants creative, innovative cooks who constantly are experimenting and turning out terrific fare and who dream of someday becoming a pro.

New reality show MasterChef for Fox

It’s all for a new show, MasterChef – already a successful reality show in England and Australia that’s to begin filming in the U.S. soon. Contestants work to wow Ramsay to become the master chef over the others during the course of the show. A number of notable chefs will help judge the competitions among the contestants.

 More auditions for the first series will be held in major cities across the U.S.

A pot-luck audition

If you think you can handle Ramsay or his game, hie on down — with a prepared food to be served at room temperature and plated by you  - to Whole Foods in Coral Gables Sunday to wow the casting directors (details below).

What the grand prize is producers aren’t yet saying, except to say it’s “life changing,”  but it sounds like a possible scholarship to a culinary school or a chance to work with Ramsay, plus big bucks.

Auditions for MasterChef

• Where: Whole Foods Market, 6701 Red Road, Coral Gables
• When: Sunday, Jan. 17, noon to 6 p.m.
• Details: Contestants must be 18 years old by Feb. 18, 2010. Bring completed application, and your best dish that is properly served at room temperature (no stove, oven or refrigeration will be provided). Bring plating and servingware.
• Application: Go to www.Fox.com/casting
• For more information: Send an email to masterchefmiami@gmail.com with your name, address, age, occupation, a photo, contact phone number, and brief description of your cooking style and experience.