US MasterChef is a reality television show where passionate cooks from various parts of the US compete against each other in weekly culinary challenges. The competition is designed to find and reward the best cooks in the USA. Discover what the MasterChef's winners and runners-up are up to after leaving the show.
MasterChef has run on Fox for 13 seasons; currently, MasterChef season 14 is being cast. Therefore, there have been 13 MasterChef winners since the show first aired in July 2010. The show is based on the original British series, MasterChef, which aired from 1990 to 2001. Discover all the MasterChef winners and their whereabouts.
US MasterChef Winners: Where Are They Now?
The regular judges on the show have been Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez, and Joe Bastianich. The winner of the show receives a grand prize of $250,000, a MasterChef trophy, a MasterChef title, and the right to publish one’s cookbook (all seasons except season 2). Below is the list of MasterChef winners and where they are now.
1. Whitney Miller
Whitney Miller was the first MasterChef USA winner—she won on September 15, 2010. She is a chef, food author, menu developer, and food judge. Hailing from Poplarville, Mississippi, USA, her culinary journey has led her to create blog posts and recipes for various companies and magazines, including Clean Eatuny, Soulsvide Supreme, Big Green Egg, Penobscot McCrum Potato Company, and Teruis.
Additionally, she serves as a food stylist for companies like Hampton Inn by Hilton. Some cookbooks she has authored include Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm and Whitney Miller's New Southern Table.
2. Jennifer Behm
Jennifer Behm is an American chef, motivational speaker, TV personality, and restaurateur who gained stardom after appearing on the show. Following her victory, she conducted several cooking events. In January 2011, she launched her catering company, Pink Martini Catering & Dirt to Soul, which is still in operation today. Alongside her husband, Julio, she runs a restaurant named Red Fin Crudo.
3. Christine Hà
Christine Hà, born in Los Angeles, California, is an accomplished author, chef, entrepreneur, and restaurateur. After winning MasterChef season 3, she authored a cookbook titled Recipes from My Home Kitchen: Asian and American Comfort Food. She has opened several restaurants, including The Blind Goat, Xin Chao Vietnamese Cuisine, and Stuffed Belly, all located in Houston, Texas.
4. Luca Manfé
Luca became the first male to win the US MasterChef competition. After his victory, he published his cookbook My Italian Kitchen by Luca Manfé in May 2014. He operated a food truck named The Lucky Fig in 2015, utilizing locally sourced and organic products. Currently, he offers personal catering services under Dinner with Luca and provides online cooking classes.
5. Courtney Lapresi
Courtney Lapresi, born in Geneva, New York, is also a MasterChef winner. She published her cookbook, Everyday Fancy: 65 Easy, Elegant Recipes for Meals, Snacks, Sweets, and Drinks. Unlike many of her counterparts, she has not pursued a traditional culinary career; instead, she works in sales and as an aerial dancer.
6. Claudia Sandoval
Claudia, a chef from San Diego, California, launched a consulting and catering company called Claudia's Cocina LLC after winning season six. She has also published a cookbook titled Claudia's Cocina: A Taste of Mexico. Furthermore, she has partnered with Home Bistro to create her Celebrity Chef Meal Delivery line and has appeared as a judge on shows like Chopped Jr. and MasterChef Latinos.
7. Shaun O'Neale
Shaun, a chef and former DJ, participated in seasons 8, 9, and 10 of MasterChef. He has also appeared in MasterChef Celebrity Showdown and launched his cookbook, My Modern American Table, in 2017. Shaun has collaborated with Disney on various culinary events.
8. Dino Angelo Luciano
Dino became an executive chef at Muse and Market and Stella Resto in 2018 after his time on MasterChef. He is currently the CEO of The Gourmet Rabbit and has opened a French-Canadian restaurant called Le Mariachi in Montreal, Quebec.
9. Gerron Hurt
Before joining MasterChef, Gerron was an English teacher. After winning the competition, he founded Family on a Plate LLC, providing culinary services for dinner parties and community events. As of July 2023, he is also an assistant principal at Rutherford County Schools in Tennessee.
10. Dorian Hunter
Dorian, a winner from Canton, Ohio, pursued training in restaurants owned by the show's judges after her victory in season 10. She runs a catering service for weddings and corporate events through her website.
11. Kelsey Murphy
Kelsey, who grew up near Chicago, specializes in modern American cuisine influenced by her Italian and Polish heritage. In March 2022, she opened a restaurant called Inspo in the Fishers Test Kitchen and offers culinary services for private events.
12. Dara Yu
Dara's culinary journey began when she participated in MasterChef Junior at age 12, where she was a runner-up in the first season. After winning season 12 of MasterChef, she became a chef instructor at The Gourmandise School of Sweets & Savories.
13. Grant Gillon, Jennifer Maune, and Kennedy U
Season 13 of MasterChef premiered on May 24, 2023, featuring contestants from different regions of the United States. The winners of season 13 were Grant Gillon, Jennifer Maune, and Kennedy U, who emerged as champions of the blue crew. Grant is currently a sales director at Kinship Brewing Co. in Iowa, while Jennifer plans to open a restaurant and pastry shop.
Below is a summary of US MasterChef runners-up and winners since 2010.
| Seasons | Winners | Runners-up | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitney Miller | David Miller | 2010 |
| 2 | Jennifer Behm | Adrien Nieto | 2011 |
| 3 | Christine Hà | Joshua Marks | 2012 |
| 4 | Luca Manfé | Natasha Crnjac | 2013 |
| 5 | Courtney Lapresi | Elizabeth Cauvel | 2014 |
| 6 | Claudia Sandoval | Derrick Peltz | 2015 |
| 7 | Shaun O'Neale | David Williams & Brandi Mudd | 2016 |
| 8 | Dino Angelo Luciano | Eboni Henry & Jason Wang | 2017 |
| 9 | Gerron Hurt | Ashley Mincey &
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