Episode 1 | The Judges Do Battle: Part 1

A group of 43 talented home cooks participate in the battle of the apron challenge, where they will compete for a position in the top 24.

Episode 2 | The Judges Do Battle: Part 2

The judges each will have eight aprons to hand out to the home cooks whom they deem worthy.

Episode 3 | The Judges Do Battle: Part 3

The final home cooks compete for the last 9 aprons to fill the final spots of the field of 24 competing for the Master Chef title.

Episode 4 | Home State Heroes

In the first mystery box challenge of the season the top 24 must prep, cook, and plate one dish featuring an ingredient unique to each of their home states.

Episode 5 | Gordon Ramsay Masterclass

In the first skills test of the season, Gordon teaches the home cooks how to properly break down a crab before the contestants must replicate his work. Those whose skills don't cut it face an elimination challenge during which Gor...

Episode 6 | Trouble Brewing

The Top 20 chefs face the first team challenge of the season at the Anheuser Busch brewery. Teams must cook a beer-infused lunch for more than 100 employees. The team that receives the least amount of votes will head back to the k...

Episode 7 | World Cup Dishes

The contestants face a mystery box challenge where they must create a dish using one common ingredient walnuts. The winner will receive 3 huge advantages.Later, the MasterChef kitchen welcomes American soccer legend, Alexi Lalas, ...

Episode 8 | A Gordon Ramsay Wedding

The contestants head to Malibu, California, and cook for Season 7 winner Shaun O'Neale's wedding with Gordon Ramsay officiating! After splitting into 2 teams, the home cooks have limited time to prepare and cook 51 appetizers and ...

Episode 9 | The Big Not Easy

The contestants face a mystery box filled with fresh seafood and must create a dish using 2 items from it. The chefs who fail to impress the judges face an elimination challenge and are asked to upgrade one of the most popular fro...

Episode 10 | Rise or Fall

The remaining home cooks pair up for a skills test to create a restaurant-quality dish featuring five ingredients - only to leave one contestant without a pair. The contestant cooking solo gets a huge advantage in the challenge an...

Episode 11 | The Kids are Alright

The Top 14 contestants are split into 2 teams to compete in a fine-dining challenge to cook 39 dishes for a group of very discerning judges. Contestants are surprised when the diners are revealed, forcing them to scramble and alte...

Episode 12 | Frying Tonight

The Top 13 contestants face a mystery box challenge with a stockpot and cooking oil and are tasked with making a dish that features a deep-fried element. An extra layer of pressure is put on the contestants as the judges cook alon...

Episode 13 | Just for the Halibut

The Top 12 face their third skills test in the MasterChef kitchen and replicate the proper way to break down a halibut. Those who fail to impress the judges are then tasked with creating a stunning original dish using their broken...

Episode 14 | Sky's the Limit

The contestants split into teams cook a celebratory meal for 101 airmen at an Air Force base that is 100 years old. Strong personalities fight over the menu. Drama ensues. Raw food gets served. It's the battle of the Hanger Steaks...

Episode 15 | Tag Team

Mentors give private sessions with their remaining mentees before showcasing 8 individual mystery box ingredients. The remaining eight contestants have 60 minutes to make a Mediterranean platter in pairs with the teammates switchi...

Episode 16 | American Heroes

The 8 remaining home cooks divide into 2 teams and race against the clock to serve restaurant-quality dishes to 25 California firefighters. Ultimately, the firefighters will decide the winning team, while the losing team will face...

Episode 17 | Waste Not Want Not

The 7 remaining contestants face a Mystery Box challenge filled with waste literally. The home cook who makes the best dish from food scraps will be safe in the elimination challenge, during which they'll take on another Mystery B...

Episode 18 | Restaurant Takeover

The Top 6 face the Restaurant Takeover Challenge at 2 Michelin starred Providence in Los Angeles. The home cooks split into 2 teams and must feed a dining room filled with 48 guests. The judges will evaluate each team's performanc...

Episode 19 | Cooking with Heart

The remaining five cooks receive a heart-warming mystery box challenge in which contestants create a dish inspired by their loved ones.

Episode 20 | Battle of the Beef

Donning on their black aprons, the final five contestants are put through a fearsome trio of consecutive pressure-filled skills tests gauntlet using an incredibly common American protein: beef. The judges decide which quarter-fina...

Episode 21 | The Semi Final

In the Top 4 semifinals, the final four semifinalists team up in pairs of two and cook a finale worthy entree for the 3 judges mentors (Chefs Daniel Boulud, Jonathan Waxman and Lidia Bastianich). The guest judges decide which winn...

Episode 22 | Finale: Part 1

The three finalists (Ashley, Cesar and Gerron) compete in the final rounds to become the winner of the 9th season of 'Masterchef'.

Episode 23 | Finale: Part 2

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.