TORONTO - The heat is on -- CTV has opened auditions for the inaugural edition of "MasterChef Canada."

Wannabe contenders must be amateur chefs, at least 19 years of age by Sept. 1, and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Applicants are asked to submit a photo at ctv.ca/MasterChefCanada, where they can also send in a video showing their culinary prowess. The deadline is July 25.

CTV says applicants will be whittled down to 50 semifinalists who will then present their signature dish to a panel of judges. The network hasn't yet said how many contenders would actually compete on the show.

As in the popular U.S. version, contestants will face individual and team-based cooking challenges, with one or more cooks being eliminated each week.

Production is slated to start this fall with the show expected to debut in winter 2014.