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The Best Episodes of MasterChef Season 3

Every episode of MasterChef Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of MasterChef Season 3!

Binge this in UnknownPeaking at 7.6/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    MasterChef Season 3 Episode 1 - Auditions (1)
    7.4/10(91 votes)

    #1 - Auditions (1)

    S3:E1

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 2 - Auditions (2)
    7.3/10(81 votes)

    #2 - Auditions (2)

    S3:E2

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 3 - Auditions (3) and Top 36 Bootcamp
    7.3/10(79 votes)

    #3 - Auditions (3) and Top 36 Bootcamp

    S3:E3

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 4 - Top 18 Compete
    7.2/10(78 votes)

    #4 - Top 18 Compete

    S3:E4

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 5 - Top 16 Compete
    7.6/10(80 votes)

    #5 - Top 16 Compete

    S3:E5

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 6 - Top 15 Compete
    7.3/10(79 votes)

    #6 - Top 15 Compete

    S3:E6

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 7 - Top 14 Compete
    7.5/10(76 votes)

    #7 - Top 14 Compete

    S3:E7

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 8 - Top 13 Compete
    7.3/10(76 votes)

    #8 - Top 13 Compete

    S3:E8

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 9 - Top 12 Compete
    7.3/10(77 votes)

    #9 - Top 12 Compete

    S3:E9

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 10 - Top 11 Compete
    7.2/10(72 votes)

    #10 - Top 11 Compete

    S3:E10

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 11 - Top Nine Compete
    7.3/10(75 votes)

    #11 - Top Nine Compete

    S3:E11

    The amateur chefs must cook with exotic ingredients from the sea

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 12 - Top 8 Compete
    7.4/10(79 votes)

    #12 - Top 8 Compete

    S3:E12

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 13 - Top 7 Compete
    7.2/10(80 votes)

    #13 - Top 7 Compete

    S3:E13

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 14 - Top 6 Compete, Pt. 1
    7.5/10(81 votes)

    #14 - Top 6 Compete, Pt. 1

    S3:E14

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 15 - Top 6 Compete, Pt. 2
    6.8/10(78 votes)

    #15 - Top 6 Compete, Pt. 2

    S3:E15

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 16 - Top 6 Compete, Pt. 3
    7.2/10(79 votes)

    #16 - Top 6 Compete, Pt. 3

    S3:E16

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 17 - Top 5 Compete
    7.5/10(75 votes)

    #17 - Top 5 Compete

    S3:E17

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 18 - Top 4 Compete
    7.3/10(77 votes)

    #18 - Top 4 Compete

    S3:E18

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 19 - Top 3 Compete
    7.3/10(77 votes)

    #19 - Top 3 Compete

    S3:E19

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. MasterChef Season 3 Episode 20 - Winner Chosen
    7.3/10(86 votes)

    #20 - Winner Chosen

    S3:E20

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Auditions (1)" is the best rated episode of "MasterChef" season 3. It scored 7.4/10 based on 91 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 6/4/2012. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Auditions (2)".