Every season of MasterChef ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons of MasterChef!

Auditions (1)

The home cooks endure an intense grilling.

Auditions (2)

Top 14

The contestants enter the kitchen for the first time.

Top 14 Compete

Top 11 Compete

Top 9 Compete

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

Top 6 Compete

Winner Revealed

100 amateur chefs are flown to Los Angeles to see if they have what it takes to be the next MasterChef. The contestants prepare their signature dishes for the panel of judges. Only those who impress the judges with their presentation, creativity, and originality will get an apron and move onto the next round.

Audition 1

Round 2 begins with the amateur chefs trying to impress the judges with their signature dishes. Contestants compete for a chance to win the MasterChef apron which guarantees them a spot in the next round.

Audition 2

The field has been narrowed down, and the top 38 are revealed.

Audition 3 & Top 38 Revealed

The contestants must show the judges that they can pass two culinary stress tests before moving onto the next round. First, slicing apples consistently, and with as little waste as possible, and second, creating the best chicken dish they can in order to impress the judges, and move onto the next round.

Top 18 Revealed

The contestants have one hour to make a dish using mystery ingredients. The winner picks the main ingredient in the elimination round.

Top 16 Revealed

The contestants are split into two teams, each team creating a five course meal. One person is eliminated.

Top 16 Compete

The contestants compete, and try to advance to the next round.

Top 15 Compete

The remaining contestants compete in order to advance to the next round.

Vegetarian meals are made by the 13 remaining hopefuls. Then, Season 1 winner Whitney Miller shows up and challenges the wannabe chefs to prepare a dish from her cookbook.

Top 13 Compete

The Top 12 prepare food for a celebrity cocktail party

Top 12 Compete

The hopefuls cook lobsters. Later, they compete in an aphrodisiac challenge.

The Top 10 cook for the judges' mothers. Later, they must prepare eggs Benedict.

Top 10 Compete

The Top 9 home cooks flex their culinary muscles in another grueling challenge to prove to the judges they have the passion and skill it takes to advance to the next round. Find out which contestants wow the judges and who winds up on the chopping block in the next elimination round.

The contestants will need to prepare a slider and a side for each kid. But there's a catch: They cannot use beef or potatoes. And the kids aren't just the guests; they are the judges, too.

Top 8 Compete

After no elimination last night, the Top 8 home cooks again flex their culinary muscles in another grueling challenge to prove to the judges they have the passion and skill it takes to advance to the next round.  Find out which contestants wow the judges and who winds up on the chopping block in the next elimination round.

Top 8 Compete Again

The remaining six home cooks arrive at the acclaimed Los Angeles restaurant Patina at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Chef Gordon Ramsay tells them that they won't be eating in the restaurant; they'll be cooking there.

The final five home cooks in the competition gather in the "MasterChef" kitchen, where judges Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, and Joe Bastianich reveal the latest Mystery Box Challenge. The contestants have to prepare, cook, and present an incredible dish using all or some of the ingredients inside a wooden crate: a variety of ground meats and an assortment of vegetables, rice, and potatoes.

Top 5 Compete

Top 4 Compete

The Top 3 chefs face off in a grueling final challenge, and the judges determine the winner in the Season 2 finale. At stake is $250,000 and the coveted title of MasterChef.

Top 3 Compete

After a nationwide search, only the best amateur cooks – including a stock broker, a professional opera singer, a plastic surgeon, as well as the first blind cook to enter the competition - were flown to Los Angeles for a chance to prepare their signature dishes and present them to the judges. The judges will taste for flavor, originality, creativity and presentation. But most importantly, the amateur cooks must demonstrate a genuine passion for food and a drive to win in order to earn a coveted white apron and move on to the next round.

The auditions continue as the judges critique the good and the bad and continue to winnow down the competition. Those who impress the judges will earn a coveted white apron and move one step closer to becoming the next MasterChef.

The final round of auditions is held in Los Angeles. Then, the 36 remaining hopefuls compete in a ground-beef challenge in hopes of earning a spot in the Top 18.

Auditions (3) and Top 36 Bootcamp

The Top 18 must create gourmet dishes using duck and bananas. Later, they're challenged to cook with unusual and intimidating ingredients.

Top 18 Compete

Culinary boot camp awaits the 16 remaining hopefuls at California's Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, where they'll work in teams to prepare a healthy, balanced meal for 200 servicemen and women.

Fifteen hopefuls remain, and they're tasked with creating unique dishes using unconventional—and unappetizing—cuts of meat in a challenge that tests their resourcefulness.

The judges split the cooks into teams to prepare breakfast for hotel guests; the members of the losing team must prove they deserve to stay in the competition.

A budget-friendly mystery-box challenge requires the wannabe chefs to create a gourmet meal using only $20 worth of ingredients. Later, another hopeful is sent packing.

The 12 remaining hopefuls are split into three teams for a food-truck challenge that requires them to create budget-friendly meals for beachgoers.

Judge Graham Elliot joins the amateur cooks in the kitchen, taking part in a mystery-box challenge. Later, a double elimination sends two hopefuls home.

The amateur chefs must cook with exotic ingredients from the sea

Top Nine Compete

The amateur chefs are taken to a Southern California rodeo, where they'll work in teams to feed a hearty meal to 101 hungry cowboys. Members of the winning team advance to the next round of competition, while the others face off in a pressure test that has them preparing six eggs in four different ways.

Paula Deen is a guest judge for a Southern-inspired mystery-box challenge. Later, the hopefuls are paired up to cook a complicated Japanese dish.

Top 7 Compete

Part 1 of 3. Eight previously eliminated contestants return and compete for a chance to win back their aprons and continue on in the competition. Each hopeful selects one ingredient to make up the mystery box, and then they are required to use all of the items to create a dish that proves they are worthy of a second chance.

Top 6 Compete, Pt. 1

Part 2 of 3. The seven remaining hopefuls find shrimp in the mystery basket, and must make standout dishes with a very limited pantry. The winner then determines which savory ingredient the others will have to incorporate into desserts in the elimination round.

Top 6 Compete, Pt. 2

Conclusion. The six remaining hopefuls compete in a team challenge at Hatfield's, a Hollywood hot spot, where they attempt to replicate the acclaimed restaurant's signature dishes. Later, members of the losing team face off in an elimination challenge that requires them to prepare steak three different ways.

Top 6 Compete, Pt. 3

A game-changing twist surprises the five remaining hopefuls during a mystery-box challenge. Later, the wannabe chefs are tasked with re-creating one of Graham Elliot's signature dishes that he served to President Obama at his flagship restaurant.

Four hopefuls remain, and they must work in teams of two to prepare a gourmet meal for three world-renowned chefs: Daniel Boulud, Alain Ducasse and Guy Savoy. The winning pair will each earn a spot in the Top 3, while the losing team face off in a pressure test featuring soufflé.

Part 1 of 2. Season 3 finale: The three remaining hopefuls are tasked with creating a dish that best embodies their personality and passion for food. Then, each prepares a pair of legs—chicken, lamb and frog—in hopes of scoring a spot in the Top 2.

In their final challenge in the kitchen, the two home cooks will conceptualize and prepare the most important three-course meal of their lives. Later, the judges will reveal America's next, and the deserving home cook will walk away with a book deal and the $250,000 grand prize. Find out whose culinary dreams will turn into a reality.

Winner Chosen

Auditions No. 1

Auditions No. 2

The judges pare down the competition in the final round of auditions; the cooks take on a lamb challenge; the top 19 contestants face a mystery box challenge; the contestants face elimination.

Top 19 Revealed

The top 19 contestants face a mystery box challenge; the contestants face elimination.

Top 19 Compete

The cooks must create a healthy meal for over 300 school children.

The cooks must prepare a dish using mystery box ingredients, which include cod; two contestants are sent home.

Top 17 Compete

The cooks prepare a steak meal for firefighters; the challenge losers cook eggs benedict.

Top 16 Compete (1)

Four cooks prepare burger dishes at Gordon Ramsay BurGR in Las Vegas.

Top 16 Compete (2)

A mystery-box challenge involving foreign ingredients takes place; chef Lidia Bastianich judges pasta dishes.

The contestants prepare a meal for the cast and crew of "Glee." Jane Lynch, Cory Monteith and Matthew Morrison serve as judges.

The contestants deal with a mystery-box challenge that involves an unusual ingredient and a limited pantry; Season 3 winner Christine Ha surprises the chefs.

Restaurateur Eva Longoria selects Mexican-inspired ingredients for a mystery box challenge.

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

The nine remaining contestants make sausage link dishes using a sausage maker, with the winner choosing the ingredient to be used in the canned versus fresh challenge.

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

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

Previously eliminated contestants get the chance to get back in the competition by perfectly frying an egg and preparing a salmon dish.

The cooks must prepare a T-bone steak dish; the challenge winner assigns a type of poultry to the other contestants.

Top 7 Compete Again

The cooks must re-create popular dishes served at a fine-dining restaurant in downtown Los Angeles; the losing team must prepare a perfect plate of fried calamari with a side of marinara sauce.

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

Top 5 Compete (1)

Two cooks advance to the finals while the remaining three face a pressure test.

Top 5 Compete (2)

The cooks split into two teams for the mystery box challenge.

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

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

Host award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, along with fellow judges restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot return for Season Five, putting the latest group of contestants through a series of challenging elimination rounds and turning one home cook into a culinary master.

Top 30 Compete

The contestants must prepare a unique dish in the first mystery box challenge -- which features ingredients typically used in desserts; in the next round, the contestants prepare a classic American dish.

Top 22 Compete

The cooks compete to feed 500 male and female troops on a desert Army base; the losing team faces a pressure test featuring blueberry pie.

Top 20 Compete

The contestants tackle a seafood challenge, with the winner choosing what dessert the others will prepare in the elimination round.

The contestants prepare a seafood menu for a beachfront wedding; one team faces a challenge featuring a meal with steak and fries.

A mystery-box challenge has the Top 16 chefs preparing dishes using canned foods. The winner will work with former "MasterChef" champion Luca Manfe and "MasterChef Junior" winner Alexander Weiss to select a specialty dish for the elimination round.

The contestants must put aside their difference as they pair up to create a surf-and-turf dish; the challenge losers face a pressure test featuring spring rolls.

The remaining 14 cooks work in two sets of teams at a busy, iconic diner in Los Angeles; the members of the losing team must make a three-layer red velvet cake during a pressure test.

The cooks must create a dish using Alaskan king salmon; during the elimination round, the cooks create a dish using one judge's favorite ingredients.

The cooks prepare romantic dinners for couples celebrating anniversaries; Ramsay's wife joins him for dinner; the losing team create their own truffle recipes for a box of chocolates.

For the first time, the contestants get to choose between two mystery boxes: one filled with high-end ingredients and one containing ordinary items; the winner of the challenge chooses which type of stuffed pasta the remaining cooks make.

The home cooks split into two teams and create menus of healthy football game concessions for an entire stadium; the cooks on the losing team must create three unique prawn dishes in a pressure test.

The cooks split into teams of two and prepare a poultry dish using different parts of the chicken; two pairs face a pressure test with eggs.

The remaining contestants receive hometown encouragement as they prepare savory apple dishes; while the challenge winner is safe from elimination, the other contestants form teams of two and make a variety of potstickers.

Ramsay works alongside the cooks as they take over a high-end restaurant in Los Angeles; croquembouche pressure test.

Joined by VIP kitchen guests, the cooks prepare dishes inspired by loved ones; the cooks face a challenge involving rare protein dishes.

A final team challenge establishes who will move on to the top three.

The Top 3 contestants create dishes for a panel of judges from all 50 U.S. states. The winner earns an automatic spot in the Top 2, while the other two chefs face a pressure test involving desserts.

In the Season 5 finale, the winner is chosen after the Top 2 compete for the trophy, a book deal and a $250,000 grand prize. 

Let the Battle Commence

After the Battle for the Apron concludes, the Top 22 home cooks in America will face their first Mystery Box Challenge. Each contestant is given 20 staple ingredients that anyone could find in their home and tasked with preparing a dish for the judges -- were the judges to show up at their homes for dinner. The winner of the Mystery Box Challenge will receive a significant advantage in the season's first pressure test, during which contestants must make their versions of an apple pie.

The Battle Continues

The Top 22 home cooks in America will face their first Mystery Box Challenge. Each contestant is given 20 staple ingredients that anyone could find in their home and tasked with preparing a dish for the judges -- were the judges to show up at their homes for dinner. The winner of the Mystery Box Challenge will receive a significant advantage in the season's first pressure test, during which contestants must make their versions of an apple pie.

You're The Apple Of My Eye

The remaining 20 home cooks will face their first team challenge of the season at an amusement park. Once teams are decided, each team will be tasked with creating its version of an amusement park burger and fish and chips dish for thousands of amusement park guests. The winning team will be safe from elimination, while the losing team will have to face the first pressure test of the season, during which the home cooks will make 12 cinnamon rolls.

Cinnamon Roll-er Coaster

The next mystery box challenge has the home cooks come out of their shells and prepare unique crab dishes for the judges. The home cook who prepares the best crab dish will receive a significant advantage before the next elimination challenge. Then the remaining home cooks will create their versions of sweet or savory dishes, using the same surprise ingredient of corn.

Clawing to Victory

In the second field challenge of the season, the home cooks will take a surprise trip to Las Vegas, where they will be split into two teams to take over Drai's Nightclub and feed 101 Las Vegas performers. The team who receives the most winning votes from the Las Vegas performer diners will be safe from the next pressure test, while the losing team will be dealt with a deuce steak contest at Gordon Ramsay's Steak. In the pressure test, the home cooks will face two steak challenges testing temperature and taste, and one contestant will be sent home.

What Happens in Vegas Steaks in Vegas

In the next challenge, it's proven that Breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day when the home cooks are each tasked to create an elevated breakfast dish in 45 minutes. Not only will the winner have immunity in the next mystery box challenge, but they will also receive two additional advantages. Later, in the mystery box challenge, contestants must create TV dinners.

Bring Home the Bacon

Each team will prepare a two-course menu for the 100th episode celebration, during which VIP guests will dine on oyster and caviar appetizers and a duck breast entrée, followed by a special surprise dish by judge Christina Tosi. The losing team will face the next pressure test, in which contestants must create a three-layer birthday cake.

Happy Birthday MasterChef

This hit cooking competition series sees award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay and other celebrity chefs put a group of contestants through a series of challenges and elimination rounds, in order to turn one home cook into a culinary master.

The Best Seasons of MasterChef

The Best Seasons of MasterChef

Season 14

Season 13

Season 12

Season 10

Season 3

Season 8

Season 11

Season 9

Season 1

Season 5

Season 7

Season 6

Season 4

Season 15

Season 2