The MasterChef winners win $250,000, their own cookbook and a MasterChef trophy.
In later seasons, they stopped offering the cookbook and instead the judges offer training at their restaurants.
MasterChef features MasterChef judges Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, Joe Bastianich, Christina Tosi and Aarón Sánchez testing the culinary skills of amateur chefs from the USA.
They undertake a number of challenges and dishes to prepare, with those failing to impress being sent home.
Continue reading below to find out what happened next to the MasterChef USA winners.
Whitney Miller from MasterChef season 1 was a College Student from Poplarville, Mississippi.
She was the MasterChef season 1 winner due to her natural ability in the kitchen.
After MasterChef, Whitney returned to college to complete her degree.
Whitney released her cook book Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm and further released Whitney Miller’s New Southern Table.
She has stayed heavily involved in cooking.
Whitney has many published recipes, television cookery segments, recipe development, cookery demonstrations and competitions and consultancy work.
She is also a food stylist and can be hired through her website.
Whitney launched cookie company Whitney's Cookies in 2020, offering mail order cookies.
Jennifer Behm from MasterChef season 2 was a Realtor from Wilmington, Delaware.
She was the MasterChef Season 2 winner after her three course dinner consisting of scallops, quail and a poached pear impressed the judges.
After MasterChef, Jennifer did a number of cookery events/demonstrations.
Jennifer started her own catering company Pink Martini Catering.
In 2015, she opened restaurant Red Fin Crudo with her husband Julio. T
he restaurant closed in July 2020 with the owners saying they will be offering private chef services.
Jennifer appeared in MasterChef season 10 alongside other past winners.
Christine Hà from MasterChef season 3 was a student from Houston, Texas.
She was the MasterChef Season 3 winner due to her menu in the final.
After MasterChef, Christine Ha's cookbook Recipes from My Home Kitchen: Asian and American Comfort Food was published.
She offered private chef services, is a brand ambassador and a food blogger.
Christine co-hosts a television show Four Senses, a cookery programme for those with visual impairments.
She judged MasterChef Vietnam and appeared on MasterChef US.
In 2014, she received the Helen Keller Personal Achievement Award.
Christine opened her first restaurant The Blind Goat in Houston in July 2019.
She opened second restaurant Xin Chao with Tony J. Nguyen in 2020 before leaving in 2023.
In 2023, she opened Stuffed Belly, a drive-thru sandwich shop.
Luca Manfé from MasterChef season 4 was a Restaurant Manager from Astoria, New York.
He was the MasterChef season 4 winner due to his three course meal impressing the judges and was praised by Gordon for his short ribs.
After MasterChef, Luca launched his cook book "My Italian Kitchen: Favorite Family Recipes".
He also launched personal catering service Dinner with Luca and food truck The Lucky Fig but this closed after around a year.
Luca hosted online cookery classes with other MasterChef winners and does cookery demonstrations and dining experiences.
He was a brand ambassador for Donna Italia.
Luca is a private chef.
Courtney Lapresi from MasterChef season 5 was a Dancer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She was the MasterChef season 5 winner due to her eclectic three course meal impressing the judges.
After MasterChef, Courtney released cookbook "Everyday Fancy: 65 Easy, Elegant Recipes for Meals, Snacks, Sweets, and Drinks".
She now works in sales for Tesla.
Claudia Sandoval from MasterChef season 6 was an Events Manager from La Mesa, California.
She was the MasterChef season 6 winner due to her three course Mexican meal impressing the judge in the final.
After MasterChef, Claudia released cookbook "Claudia's Cocina: A Taste of Mexico".
She launched catering business Claudia's Cocina and has been a brand ambassador for large brands.
She hosted cookery classes and online cookery classes with other MasterChef winners.
Claudia became a judge on MasterChef Latino.
She opened El Cochi Dorado, a Mexican Bakery in June 2020.
Shaun O'Neale from MasterChef season 7 was a DJ from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Shaun was the MasterChef season 7 winner due to his halibut, venison and salted caramel dishes impressing the judges.
After MasterChef, Shaun released cookbook "My Modern American Table: Recipes for Inspired Home Cooks".
He has hosted a number of pop up dining events, cookery demonstrations and hosted online cookery classes with other MasterChef winners.
Shaun became co-owner of The Blind Pig in 2020.
He opened restaurant Larrea Las Vegas in 2021 and worked there until January 2022.
Shaun is Executive Chef at Three Thirty Three Restaurant, opening in 2024.
Dino Angelo Luciano from MasterChef season 8 was a Dancer from Bensonhurst, New York.
He was the MasterChef season 8 winner due to his unique menu with a twist of traditional dishes of squid ink pasta, lamb chop and tiramisu.
After MasterChef, Dino has hosted a number of exclusive dinners and pop up dining experiences as The Gourmet Rabbit.
Dino was Executive Chef at Muse and Market in Phoenix.
He also posted recipes on YouTube.
Dino is currently a private chef and sells his own seasonings online.
Gerron Hurt from MasterChef season 9 was an English Teacher from Louisville, Kentucky.
He was the MasterChef season 9 winner due to his southern themed menu being well received by the judges.
After MasterChef, Gerron has appeared at a number of cookery events in Louisville.
He launched Family on a Plate LLC, offering private dining experiences and cooking classes.
In 2019, he took part in Camp Masterchef, was a travelling chef.
Gerron returned to MasterChef in season 10 for a special wedding episode where Gordon officiated his marriage.
Gerron launched his own food truck Southern Ego with rave reviews, especially for his fried chicken.
Dorian Hunter from MasterChef season 10 was a Creeler from Cartersville, Georgia.
Dorian Hunter was the MasterChef season 10 winner.
Her final menu of scallops, short rib and lemon blueberry tart was well received by the judges.
After MasterChef, Dorian took up training at the restaurants of the three judges.
She published a cookbook, Not Your Average Southern Sides Chick.
She had planned to use her winnings to contribute towards opening a restaurant.
Dorian is a private chef offering events catering.
Kelsey Murphy from MasterChef season 11 was a Physical therapist from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Kelsey was the MasterChef Season 11 winner after her menu of lobster and crab ravioli, duck, blueberry and lavender panna cotta impressed the judges.
After Masterchef, Kelsey worked with Grubhub to share her recipes along with other MasterChef favourites.
She started a podcast, The Real Eats with Kelsey and Pete.
Kelsey is a Head Chef at Bullseye Event Group.
She had cooking segments on the FOX and CBS local morning shows.
Kelsey is a private chef, offering private dining experiences.
Dara Yu competed in MasterChef Junior season 1, where she was the runner up.
Dara Yu was the MasterChef Season 12 winner after her short ribs and overall technical ability impressed the judges.
Since MC Junior, Dara has graduated from the Culinary Institute of America with a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts.
She shares recipes and more on her socials and works as a Private Chef.
wow dino
ReplyDeleteLove Christine and Felix!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved Dino, his cooking was refreshing! You never knew what he was going to come up with at the end of a pressure test! Just watched him again on Hulu!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see Dorian won. I love her style of cooking and look forward to seeing her cookbook. My heart is breaking for Micah, he has a bright future and I hope he continues his work as a chef.
ReplyDeleteLove Claudia she's really doing great
ReplyDelete