Brampton Home Cook Makes MasterChef Canada Top 12

24 home cooks from across Canada competed this past week to earn themselves a MasterChef Canada apron. Among them was 24-year-old Kimberly Duffus, a Brampton resident.

Season 4 of MasterChef started with a huge curveball. 24 finalists received a box of rice in the mail and had just 20 minutes to decide what they’d cook, before they even set foot in the MasterChef kitchen.

Despite the pressure, some contestants rose to the challenge.

Kimberley’s first dish in the MasterChef kitchen, comfort food classic rice and peas with chicken, earned her an early spot in the top 12.

“To me it’s a comfort food, and that’s who I’m here for,” says  Duffus. “My food dream is to own my own catering company. I’m a family person, I love bringing people together.”

After the first round of dishes, judges Michael Bonacini, Claudio Aprile and Alvin Leung divided the contestants up into two groups. One group of 8, including Duffus, earned a spot in the top 12.

Duffus and others watched from the balcony as 8 were eliminated, and another 8 were left to fight it out for the last 4 spots.

The final 12 contestants will compete for the MasterChef Canada trophy along with $100,000. Episodes air every Wednesday on CTV at

Watch the season premiere here.