Celebrated chef Gordon Ramsay is once again giving talented, everyday, at-home cooks the chance to prove their culinary skills and the opportunity to compete in the upcoming second season of "MasterChef" on Fox. Open casting calls begin Saturday, Nov. 6, in Los Angeles and will continue in Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; New Orleans; New York City; Orlando, Fla.; and Portland, Ore.

On the hit culinary competition series, Ramsay and fellow judges Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot coach and critique the contestants in a series of challenges designed to test their palates, knowledge and determination to follow their dream of making a mark in the culinary world. America's first "MasterChef," Whitney Miller, 22, a student from Poplarville, Miss., and one of youngest competitors in the competition, walked away with the $250,000 grand prize and will have her own "MasterChef" cookbook published.

Home cooks from all walks of life will have the opportunity to present their signature dishes at the following nationwide open casting calls:

Cities/dates

• Los Angeles, Saturday, Nov. 6
• Boston, Saturday, Nov. 13
• New York, Saturday, Nov. 13 and Sunday, Nov. 14
• New Orleans, Saturday, Nov. 20
• Orlando, Saturday, Nov. 20
• Chicago, Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5                   
• Dallas, Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5                   
• Denver, Saturday, Dec. 11
• Portland, Saturday, Dec. 11

Venues will be announced at a later date. Additional casting information, including forms and eligibility requirements, are available online at www.masterchefcasting.com.

"MasterChef" was the No. 1 new program of the summer among adults 18-49. The series is produced by Reveille, Shine TV and One Potato Two Potato, and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam and Shine TV.