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Masterchef Season 9 Episodes
Season 9 Episode Guide
23 Episodes 2018 - 2018
Episode 1
The Judges Do Battle: Part 1
Wed, May 30, 201845 mins
The judges open the series by explaining the new format. Each judge will award eight aprons to contestants and then they will mentor their respective contestants throughout the competition. If more than one judge wishes to award an apron to a contestant, the contestant is allowed to decide which judge will be their mentor. Jannie, Emily and Bowen are up first and must make a beef dish. Joe awarded aprons to Emily and Bowen, and Gordon awarded one to Bowen also. Bowen chose Gordon while Jannie fails to advance. Cynthia and Shanika next make desserts. Cynthia is not offered an apron while both Aarón and Joe offer aprons to Shanika; she chooses Joe. In a montage of contestants, Gordon awards an apron to Sid and Aarón awards an apron to Julia. Samantha and Mark are next and can make any signature dish; Gordon awards an apron to Samantha and Joe awards an apron to Mark.
Episode 2
The Judges Do Battle: Part 2
Wed, May 30, 201845 mins
Taylor, Ralph and Chelsea, who are all from Houston, next make their signature dishes; Gordon gives an apron to Taylor, Joe gives an apron to Ralph, and Aarón gives an apron to Chelsea. Olusola and Mark next make their signature dishes; all three judges award an apron to Olusola and she chooses Joe while Mark fails to advance. After another montage of failed contestants, Cesar, Matt, Ryan and SJ all make fish dishes. Aarón awarded aprons to Cesar, SJ and Ryan, Joe awarded one to Matt, while Gordon awarded aprons to SJ and Cesar. SJ chose Gordon and Cesar chose Aarón.
Episode 3
The Judges Do Battle: Part 3
Wed, Jun 6, 201842 mins
Farhan and Gerron cook their signature dishes with chicken. Joe gave an apron to Gerron while Aarón and Gordon gave aprons to Farhan who chose Aarón's. Alecia, Darrick and Tye were given 45 minutes to cook their variation of one of Gordon's signature dishes. Darrick won an apron from Gordon while Alecia received an apron from Aarón and Tye was eliminated. A montage shows Aarón reward an apron to Lindsay, Gordon offer an apron to Stephanie and Joe gave his last apron to Sal. Ashley, Chera, Juni and Nik are next to compete for the last two places in the Top 24. Gordon gave his last apron to Ashley and Aarón gave his to Juni.
Episode 4
Home State Heroes
Wed, Jun 6, 201842 mins
Mystery Box Challenge: The Top 24 contestants each receive an ingredient that is native to their home state to cook their dishes in one hour. The judges each pick their respective contestant to name the top three dishes. Ashley, Emily and Farhan have the top three dishes and Ashley wins. Alecia, Sal and Sid are chosen as the bottom three by their mentors. Challenge Winner/Immune: Ashley Mincey. Bottom three: Alecia Winters, Sal Maida and Sid Hoeltzell. Elimination Challenge: The bottom three must cook their version of steak and potatoes. Alecia is declared safe, both Sid and Sal are sent home. Eliminated: Sal Maida and Sid Hoeltzell.
Episode 5
Gordon Ramsay Masterclass
Wed, Jun 13, 201842 mins
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 Gordon will show them how to make his signature Crab Benedict dish. It is then up to the judges to decide who stays and who goes home.
Episode 6
Trouble Brewing
Wed, Jun 20, 201842 mins
In the the first team challenge of the season, the Top 20 chefs arrive at the Anheuser Busch brewery, where they must whip up a beer-infused fish and chips for more than 100 employees. The team that receives the least amount of votes will head back to the kitchen for a banana cream pie pressure test that will determine who will be eliminated.
Episode 7
World Cup Dishes
Wed, Jun 27, 201842 mins
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, who will introduce a street-food themed elimination challenge that involves popular food among soccer fans in various countries. Then, it is up to the judges to decide who will be sent home.
Episode 8
A Gordon Ramsay Wedding
Wed, Jul 11, 201843 mins
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 51 entrees for guests in attendance. Then, it is up to the judges to decide who stays and who heads home.
Episode 9
The Big Not Easy
Wed, Jul 18, 201842 mins
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 frozen dinner dishes, Salisbury Steak. Then, it is up to the judges to decide who heads home.
Episode 10
Rise or Fall
Wed, Jul 25, 201842 mins
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 and gets the opportunity to cook alongside his/her mentor. The chefs who fail to impress the judges will face an elimination challenge and create the ever-challenging cheese soufflé in just 40 minutes. Then, it is up to the judges to decide who will head home.
Episode 11
The Kids are Alright
Wed, Aug 1, 201843 mins
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 alter their dishes to accommodate the guests. Ultimately the winning team's recipe will be printed in Family Circle Magazine. The losing team competes in a cupcake pressure test with special guest Christina Tosi. The judges then decide who stays and who is sent home.
Episode 12
Frying Tonight
Wed, Aug 8, 201842 mins
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 alongside them. The winner of the challenge receives an advantage in the elimination challenge to create a citrus-centered dish. The judges then decide who stays and who is sent home.
Episode 13
Just for the Halibut
Wed, Aug 15, 201843 mins
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-down fish. Some contestants yield a bountiful filet, while others offer up a poor portion of protein. Ultimately, the judges decide who is left floundering and sent home.
Episode 14
Sky's the Limit
Wed, Aug 22, 201842 mins
The top 10 contestants arrive at an airbase, where they will split into teams and cater to 101 airmen. Strong personalities clash over the menu. Drama ensues. Raw food gets served. It's the battle of the Hanger Steaks versus bone-in pork chops..
Episode 15
Tag Team
Wed, Aug 22, 201842 mins
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 switching out every ten minutes in a tag team challenge.
Episode 16
American Heroes
Wed, Aug 29, 201842 mins
The 8 remaining home cooks arrive at a rural hillside, where they divide into 2 teams and race against the clock to serve restaurant-quality dishes catering for 25 California firefighters. Ultimately, the firefighters will decide the winning team, while the losing team will face a three-dish pasta-themed replication pressure test where someone is sent home.
Episode 17
Waste Not Want Not
Wed, Aug 29, 201842 mins
The 7 remaining contestants face their penultimate Mystery Box challenge cooking with leftover scraps. The home cook who makes the best dish utilizing scraps will be safe from the elimination challenge, during which they'll have to whip up a savory protein dish using all the best and freshest whole ingredients. Find out whose time has come to an end.
Episode 18
Restaurant Takeover
Wed, Sep 5, 201842 mins
The Top 6 face the Restaurant Takeover team challenge at 2 Michelin starred Providence in Los Angeles, where the home cooks split into 2 teams and must feed a dining room filled with 48 guests. The judges will evaluate each team's performance and the losing team will face the challenging pressure test, after which someone will be sent home. .
Episode 19
Cooking with Heart
Wed, Sep 5, 201842 mins
Mystery Box Challenge: The top five must cook a dish inspired by their loved ones as they are visited by members of their family. All five contestants were called up and Bowen wins the challenge. Challenge Winner: Bowen Li. Elimination Test: The judges decide that Bowen must also cook in the elimination test which involves cooking different types of hearts. Bowen's advantage is deciding which type of heart everyone will use to make a dish. Samantha and Gerron are called out as the bottom two. Bottom two: Gerron Hurt and Samantha Daily. Samantha was announced safe. The judges also save Gerron, thus no one was eliminated. Eliminated: None.
Episode 20
Battle of the Beef
Wed, Sep 12, 201842 mins
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-finalist claims a safe spot up on the balcony and who faces another culinary test elimination challenge test. The 2 weakest home cooks go head-to-head to claim the last spot in the Top 4 semifinals, while the other is sent home, ending their MasterChef journey.
Episode 21
The Semi Final
Wed, Sep 12, 201842 mins
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 winning team of two automatically advances straight to the three-way finale showdown. The losing pair go head to head and battle it out in a do or die replication Pressure Test. Find out which 3 finalists make it to the finale.
Episode 22
Finale: Part 1
Wed, Sep 19, 201843 mins
The 3 remaining home cooks face their final challenge when they are each asked to prepare a 3-course menu for the judges.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.
Episode 23
Finale: Part 2
Wed, Sep 19, 201842 mins
Entrée: Ashley serves a pan-seared guinea hen with black-eyed pea and collard green ragout and quince cognac sauce. Cesar serves a pan-seared duck breast with charcoal roasted vegetables and almond mole. Gerron serves carabinero prawns with heirloom grits, shellfish au jus, and crispy shallots. Dessert: Gerron serves an amaretto chess pie with raspberry coulis and popped sorghum. Cesar serves a flourless chocolate cake with taramind caramel and spicy pepita brittle. Ashley serves an orange genoise with smoked chocolate ganache and glazed cherries. Final Three: Ashley Mincey, Cesar Cano and Gerron Hurt. Winner Revealed: Gerron is named the winner of this year's MasterChef, winning him the $250,000, the trophy, and the cookbook deal. MasterChef Winner: Gerron Hurt.
