The WORST episodes of MasterChef (US)
Every episode of MasterChef (US) ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of MasterChef (US)!
Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, acclaimed chef Aarón Sánchez and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich put a new batch of talented home cooks through a series of challenges and elimination rounds.
#1 - Hot & Spicy
Season 10 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/26/2019
Model Alessandra Ambrosio offers input for the Top 17's next mystery box challenge, which includes an additional twist that throws some cooks off balance, but only 15 home cooks can be chosen to continue on to the next round.
#2 - Let Them Eat Cake
Season 10 - Episode 14 - Aired 7/31/2019
In under 75 minutes, the contestants must replicate a cake for the judges.
#3 - Someone's Toast
Season 10 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/25/2019
Contestants must create a sweet dish and a savory dish from a surprise ingredient; an elimination.
#4 - King of the Crabs
Season 10 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/24/2019
The top 13 must break down Alaskan king crabs; the contestants cook for chef Masaharu Morimoto.
#5 - Backyard BBQ
Season 10 - Episode 11 - Aired 7/18/2019
The cooks have 60 minutes to present their best beef dish to the judges.
#6 - Gerron's Wedding
Season 10 - Episode 10 - Aired 7/17/2019
The home cooks split into two teams to prepare 45 meals for Gerron Hurt's wedding.
#7 - Tag Team Tears & Tantrums
Season 10 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/11/2019
With two eliminations on the line, the pressure is on for the losing team in the tag-team challenge.
#8 - Joe Takes a Risk
Season 10 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/10/2019
The top 16 cooks fight for immunity in a challenge to create an authentic three-course Italian meal.
#9 - Gordon Takes on a Tarte
Season 10 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/27/2019
The remaining home cooks face another elimination challenge in which they have 60 minutes to closely replicate the dish du jour, tarte Tatin that must be prepared with silky crème anglaise sauce, or risk surrendering their apron and going home.
#10 - Small Dessert, Big Problems
Season 10 - Episode 15 - Aired 8/1/2019
Special guest judge Candace Nelson gives the home cooks 75 minutes to create one dozen macarons.
#11 - The Blind Chicken Show
Season 10 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/20/2019
The team who failed to impress the pool party guests are given only 45 minutes to completely break down a chicken and prepare it into a delectable dish, but one contestant will be forced to surrender their apron after the timer runs out.
#12 - 10th Season Pool Party!
Season 10 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/19/2019
In two teams of nine cooks, the Top 18 prepare for a 10th anniversary-themed pool party by preparing food for 100 important guests that include former "MasterChef" winners and contestants, but only one team can earn immunity.
#13 - Gordon's Mystery Box
Season 10 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/12/2019
The Top 20 must quickly demonstrate their culinary expertise before they encounter their first mystery box challenge, where they must create a Ramsay-inspired dish, but only 18 home cooks can progress further in the competition.
#14 - Auditions: The Battle Round (2)
Season 10 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/5/2019
Only eight aprons are left for the hopeful home cooks to earn so they can pass through the audition rounds, where they have less than 45 minutes to prepare their signature dish and leave the judges wanting for more before the Top 20 are chosen.
#15 - The Epic 10th Season Auditions (1)
Season 10 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/29/2019
Thirty-six home cooks arrive with the intent of being placed in the Top 20, but the contestants must pass the audition rounds and impress the judges to earn the coveted apron; the contestants hope to earn a valuable "Judges' Pass."
#16 - The 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.
#17 - The Finale (1)
Season 9 - Episode 22 - Aired 9/19/2018
The 3 remaining home cooks face their final challenge when they are each asked to prepare a 3-course menu for the judges.
#18 - The Semi Final
Season 9 - Episode 21 - Aired 9/12/2018
The final 4 are split into 2 teams, and need to cook one incredible entrée for the judges’ mentors: Chefs Daniel Boulud, Jonathan Waxman, and Lidia Bastianich. The judges choose which winning team moves on, leaving the final 2 to battle it out in a do-or-die pressure test. Find out which 3 make it to the finale.
#19 - The Finale (1)
Season 10 - Episode 24 - Aired 9/18/2019
Returning from their home towns after a whirlwind trip across the pond, the Top Three home cooks are ready to tackle their final dishes in hopes of crossing the finish line and coming out on top!
#20 - Nancy Silverton: Pasta Challenge
Season 11 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/14/2021
With the top 10 at their fingertips and an elimination on the table, Michelin Star chef Nancy Silverton challenges the home cooks with a fresh pasta challenge. The cooks must prove they can master this Italian staple and impress with a pasta dish of their own.
#21 - Michael Mina: Meat Roulette
Season 11 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/7/2021
In the first Mystery Box challenge chef Michael Mina is the guest judge. The cooks must create a beef dish without knowing what cut of beef they will be cooking until the mystery box is opened.
#22 - Sherry Yard: Dessert Challenge
Season 11 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/30/2021
Chef Sherry Yard visits the kitchen. With elimination on the line, a dessert challenge puts the spotlight on the home cooks' baking skills for the first time.
#23 - Chef Morimoto: Monkfish Challenge
Season 11 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/23/2021
Chef Morimoto sets the bar high with his monkfish demonstration, leaving the cooks desperate to impress in their first elimination challenge.
#24 - Paula Deen: Auditions Round 3
Season 11 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/16/2021
In the final audition round of the season Paula Deen is the guest judge.
#25 - Curtis Stone: Auditions Round 2
Season 11 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/9/2021
The cooks have 45 minutes to impress the judges, including guest judge Curtis Stone.