The BEST episodes of MasterChef (US)

#1 - Winner Revealed (2)

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 9/15/2010

The winner is revealed.

#2 - Winner Revealed

Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 8/16/2011

One contestant wins the grand prize of $250,000.

#3 - Winner Revealed (1)

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 9/15/2010

After enduring pressure tests and grueling challenges, the remaining chefs compete for $250,000 and a cookbook-publishing deal.

#4 - Winner Chosen

Season 4 - Episode 25 - Aired 9/11/2013

The final two cooks prepare three-course meals; the judges choose the winner.

#5 - 6 Chefs Compete (2)

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/8/2010

The contestants go fishing, and use their catches for their entrees. Another chef is eliminated.

#6 - Top 10 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 7/10/2013

The contestants must prepare fish tacos for hungry surfers; in a pressure test, contestants must prepare a perfect chicken breast three different ways.

#7 - Top 5 Compete (1)

Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/28/2013

The judges are joined by their sons, who help critique a mystery box challenge; re-creating a dish.

#8 - Top 9 Compete

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/26/2011

The contestants try to impress the judges and advance to the next round.

#9 - Bake to Win

Season 12 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/27/2022

One chef selects a dessert for each of his or her fellow competitors to bake to perfection. Anything less will force the contestants to face elimination.

#10 - The Finale (2)

Season 8 - Episode 21 - Aired 9/20/2017

The remaining chefs compete for the trophy and the $250,000 prize. Guest judge: Joe Bastianich.

#11 - Audition 1

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/6/2011

Hopefuls prepare signature dishes in hope of impressing the judges.

#12 - Winner Chosen

Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 9/10/2012

The remaining cooks make a final effort to impress the judges; one contestant wins the grand prize.

#13 - Top 7 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/17/2012

Chef Paula Deen selects items for the mystery box challenge, which includes Southern staples and a surprise for the contestants; the challenge winner pairs the remaining contestants, who must prepare a Japanese dish as a team.

#14 - Top 7 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 17 - Aired 7/31/2013

The cooks create dishes inspired by loved ones; tag-team sushi challenge.

#15 - Dish That Sent You Home

Season 12 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/15/2022

In the first elimination round of the season, all 20 chefs must cook something inspired by the dish that originally sent them home. The chef that recreates their elimination dish in the most elevated, refined and skillful way will win immunity.

#16 - 11 Chefs Compete (1)

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/25/2010

The contestants are asked to make a single cupcake; chef Cat Cora and the contestants cook at a truck stop.

#17 - Top 3 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 24 - Aired 9/4/2013

The remaining three contestants cook more sophisticated versions of the dishes they made in their initial auditions.

#18 - Season Finale (2)

Season 9 - Episode 23 - Aired 9/19/2018

The home cook with the best overall menu is crowned the winner wih a prize of a quarter of a million dollars and the coveted title of MasterChef.

#19 - Top 3 Compete

Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 8/16/2011

The remaining cooks compete.

#20 - Top 8 Compete

Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired 7/24/2013

The cooks compete in an overnight challenge; the losing team faces a spun sugar dessert pressure test.

#21 - Cooking for Horse Town U.S.A.

Season 12 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/3/2022

More than 100 cowboys and cowgirls in Horse Town, U.S.A., gather for the MasterChef rodeo, where the Top 14 chefs divide into two teams to create the best steak and sides. The team that doesn't live up to the cowboys' standards faces the possibility of elimination.

#22 - Winners Mystery Box - Christine Ha

Season 12 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/10/2022

#23 - 14 Chefs Compete (2)

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/18/2010

The cooks prepare their best dishes in hopes of impressing the judges.

#24 - 6 Chefs Compete (1)

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 9/8/2010

The contestants undergo a Mystery Box challenge and an Invention Test.

#25 - Top 14 Compete

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/28/2011

The cooks compete for a spot in the next round.