By Gina Yarbrough

SAN DIEGO—Calling all talented cooks! Do you have what it takes to be a masterchef?

FOX’s hit cooking competition series, “Masterchef” begins casting for its eighth season Saturday, March 5 in San Diego. “Masterchef” casting team is looking for home cooks from all types of backgrounds who enjoy preparing everything from delightful desserts and hefty main courses to fine French cuisine, great tasting burgers and more.

Open casting calls also will be held in New York City, Oklahoma City, Chicago, New Orleans, Dallas, Orlando, Portland, Boston, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

Participants must pre-register on the casting website at www.masterchefcasting.com. All applicants must be 18 years or older on or before August 1, 2016. For those unable to attend an open casting call, home video may be submitted on the website. Instructions can be found at http://www.masterchefcasting.com/videos.

Season Five winner Claudia Sandoval’s cookbook “Claudia’s Cucina” featuring authentic Mexican recipes with innovative and modern flair is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and will be released wide this summer. Season Four winner Luca Manfe launched his cookbook, “My Italian Kitchen,” in 2013. Season Three winner Christine Ha, the series’ first blind contestant, continues to be an inspiration to millions. Her cookbook, “Recipes from My Home Kitchen: Asian and American Comfort Food,” is a New York Times bestseller.

America’s first “Masterchef” winner, Whitney Miller, is the author of “Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm.” Her recipes have been featured in various national publications, such as People and Cooking Light.

Fans can also find their favorite All-Star contestants, including Manfe and Sandoval on the “Masterchef” Cruise setting sail in the Caribbean November 2016. For more information on the cruise visit www.masterchefcruise.com

“Masterchef” is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Endemol Shine. Elisabeth Murdoch, Eden Gaha, Robin Ashbrook, Gordon Ramsay, Adeline Ramage Rooney, Patricia Llewellyn and Ben Adler serve as executive producers.

“Like” “Masterchef” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MasterChef. Follow the series on Twitter @MasterChefonFOX and follow the judges on Twitter: Gordon Ramsay – @gordonramsay; Christina Tosi – @christinatosi.