Melissa, 51, is the oldest among the finalists and is regarded by the group as their mother figure. Will the considerate Cooking Momma give way to others or will she fight for the grand prize until the end?

Also pulling out all the stops to become the first ever Pinoy MasterChef is Myra, a working class mom who wants to be recognized as an excellent cook. The Chef Accountant of Muntinlupa first worked her way around the kitchen when she was still little and cooked for her siblings and parents.

Also entering the Top 14 is Reggie, the Romantic Kusinero of Laguna, who admits he always gets dumped by girls. He says that he wants a girlfriend who is not so good at cooking so he could satiate her with his dishes and love.

Ronnel, meanwhile, grows vegetables in his backyard and cooks over an open fire using twigs. The Boy Labong of Pampanga’s family survives on income from his humble sari-sari store business.

Sorsogon’s Chief Cook of Police, Tolits, wanted to take up Fine Arts in college but was not able to because his family couldn’t afford it, and it was only in cooking where could express his passion for art. He eventually joined the police force and now aspires to put up a small restaurant to support his family.

Watch the Top 14 cooks fight their way to the top in MasterChef Pinoy Edition, Mondays to Fridays, 10:30 a.m. before Be Careful with My Heart on ABS-CBN’s Umaganda block and on Saturdays, 10 a.m. before Be Careful with My Heart Saturday Rewind. For updates on the program, like www.facebook.com/MasterChefPH, follow @MasterChefPHL on Twitter, and visitwww.masterchefph.tv .