MasterChef (US)

Season 3

TV-14

82%

Season 3 of the American competitive reality television series MasterChef had a two-night premiere on Fox on June 4 and 5, 2012. By the third episode, which aired on June 11, 2012, the judges had tasted all 100 dishes and given white MasterChef aprons to 36 contestants. In the same episode, the judges cut that number down to 18 contestants. The season concluded on September 10, 2012 with the first blind contestant Christine Ha winning the MasterChef title.

Where to Watch Season 3

20 Episodes

Auditions (1)
E1
Episode 1Auditions (1)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.
Auditions (2)
E2
Episode 2Auditions (2)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.
Auditions (3) and Top 36 Bootcamp
E3
Episode 3Auditions (3) and Top 36 BootcampThe 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.
Top 18 Compete
E4
Episode 4Top 18 CompeteThe Top 18 must create gourmet dishes using duck and bananas. Later, they're challenged to cook with unusual and intimidating ingredients.
Top 16 Compete
E5
Episode 5Top 16 CompeteFor the first team challenge, the remaining 16 contestants were divided into two teams and were required to cook an entrée for 201 Marines. After tasting both entrées each Marine would vote and the team with the most votes would win the team challenge.
Top 15 Compete
E6
Episode 6Top 15 CompeteGuts are tested as the remaining fifteen contestants are challenged to create a unique dish using unconventional - and unappetizing - cuts of meat. The contestants who are most resourceful and think outside the box will make the cut and continue to the next round.
Top 14 Compete
E7
Episode 7Top 14 CompeteThe judges plan a surprise trip for the amateur cooks, but the contestants are in for a rude awakening when the judges split them into teams to prepare hearty breakfast meals for hungry hotel guests. The teams must be organized and work efficiently, but tempers reach a new high during room service. Later, the losing team must prove they deserve to remain in the competition in an emotional elimination round.
Top 13 Compete
E8
Episode 8Top 13 CompeteA 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.
Top 12 Compete
E9
Episode 9Top 12 CompeteThe 12 remaining hopefuls are split into three teams for a food-truck challenge that requires them to create budget-friendly meals for beachgoers.
Top 11 Compete
E10
Episode 10Top 11 CompeteJudge Graham Elliot joins the amateur cooks in the kitchen, taking part in a mystery-box challenge. Later, a double elimination sends two hopefuls home.
Top Nine Compete
E11
Episode 11Top Nine CompeteFor their 5th Mystery Box Challenge, the contestants had 60 minutes to create a dish using a live sea urchin, also known as uni. But first Ramsey showed the contestants had to humanely remove the sea urchin from it's shell.
Top 8 Compete
E12
Episode 12Top 8 CompeteThe 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.
Top 7 Compete
E13
Episode 13Top 7 CompetePaula Deen is a guest judge for a Southern-inspired mystery-box challenge. Later, the hopefuls are paired up to cook a complicated Japanese dish.
Top 6 Compete, Pt. 1
E14
Episode 14Top 6 Compete, Pt. 1Part 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.
Top 6 Compete, Pt. 2
E15
Episode 15Top 6 Compete, Pt. 2Part 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.
Top 6 Compete, Pt. 3
E16
Episode 16Top 6 Compete, Pt. 3Conclusion. 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.
Top 5 Complete
E17
Episode 17Top 5 CompleteA 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.
Top 4 Compete
E18
Episode 18Top 4 CompeteFour 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.
Top 3 Compete
E19
Episode 19Top 3 CompetePart 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.
Winner Chosen
E20
Episode 20Winner ChosenIn 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.