Wikipedia

MasterChef (American TV series) season 12

"MasterChef: Back to Win" redirects here. For the Australian television season, see MasterChef Australia series 12.

The twelfth season of the American competitive reality television series MasterChef (also known as MasterChef: Back to Win[1]) premiered on Fox on May 25, 2022, and concluded on September 14, 2022. Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Joe Bastianich all returned as judges.

MasterChef: Back to Win
Season 12
Promotional poster for season 12, featuring (L to R) judges Aarón Sánchez, Gordon Ramsay, and Joe Bastianich
Judges
No. of contestants20
WinnerDara Yu
Runners-up
  • Christian Green
  • Michael Silverstein
No. of episodes20
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseMay 25 (2022-05-25) –
September 14, 2022 (2022-09-14)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 11
Next →
Season 13

The season was won by MasterChef Junior season one runner-up Dara Yu, with season five fifth-place finisher Christian Green and season 10 15th-place finisher Michael Silverstein as the runners-up.

Production

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On August 18, 2021, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a twelfth season, with judges Ramsay, Sánchez, and Bastianich announced to be returning as well.[2][3] On April 5, 2022, it was announced that the season would premiere on May 25, 2022.[4][1]

Contestants

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The season featured 20 returning former MasterChef contestants, including two former MasterChef Junior contestants who competed as adults.[4][1]

Sources for all contestants and previous seasons:[5][6] Ages are as shown in graphics on the show.

Contestant Age Hometown Previous
Season 		Previous
Season
Placing 		Status
Dara Yu 20 Los Angeles, California 1 (Junior) 2nd Winner September 14
Christian Green 36 New Orleans, Louisiana 5 5th Runners-up September 14
Michael Silverstein 34 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 10 15th
Shanika Patterson 38 Miami, Florida 9 8th Eliminated September 7
Emily Hallock 31 Neenah, Wisconsin 9 10th
Willie Mike 33 Houston, Texas 5 7th Eliminated August 31
Amanda Saab 32 Seattle, Washington 6 13th
Derrick (Peltz) Fox 35 Fort Myers, Florida 6 2nd
Bowen Li 29 Tianjin, China 9 5th Eliminated August 24
Brandi Mudd 33 Irvington, Kentucky 7 2nd
Fred Chang 26 Redondo Beach, California 10 10th Eliminated August 17
Gabriel Lewis 24 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 8 7th
Brielle "Bri" Baker 27 Dallas, Texas 10 8th Eliminated August 10
Shelly Flash 38 Brooklyn, New York 6 9th Eliminated August 3
Tommy Walton 59 Chicago, Illinois 6 7th Eliminated July 27
Shayne Wells 18 Spring, Texas 5 (Junior) 3rd Eliminated July 20
Samantha Daily 23 West Des Moines, Iowa 9 4th Eliminated July 13
Alejandro Valdivia 40 Atlanta, Georgia 11 4th Eliminated June 29
Caitlin "Cate" Meade 30 Chicago, Illinois 8 4th Eliminated June 22
Stephen Lee 54 Palm Springs, California 6 3rd Eliminated June 15

Elimination table

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Place Contestant Episode
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19/20
1 Dara IN LOW WIN IN IN WIN IMM HIGH LOW HIGH IN IN LOW WIN WIN HIGH WINNER
2 Christian IN HIGH WIN IN WIN IMM IN HIGH IN IN WIN IMM WIN WIN WIN HIGH RUNNERS-UP
Michael IN IN IN IN IN HIGH WIN WIN IMM HIGH LOW IN HIGH IN LOW LOW
4 Shanika HIGH IN IN IN IN IN IN IN WIN IMM WIN IMM LOW IN IN ELIM
5 Emily WIN IMM IN IN HIGH IN IN LOW LOW IN IN WIN HIGH WIN ELIM
6 Willie HIGH IN WIN IN IN IN IN IN IN LOW LOW IN WIN ELIM
7 Amanda IN IN WIN WIN IMM HIGH IN IN IN IN IN HIGH ELIM
Derrick IN IN WIN HIGH IN IN WIN IN HIGH WIN IMM LOW ELIM
9 Bowen IN IN IN HIGH LOW IN WIN IN WIN IMM HIGH ELIM
10 Brandi IN HIGH WIN IN IN IN IN LOW IN IN ELIM
11 Fred IN WIN IMM LOW IN IN WIN IN LOW ELIM
12 Gabriel LOW IN IN IN IN IN WIN IN ELIM
13 Bri IN IN IN IN LOW LOW WIN ELIM
14 Shelly IN IN WIN LOW HIGH LOW ELIM
15 Tommy LOW LOW WIN IN IN ELIM
16 Shayne IN IN WIN IN ELIM
17 Samantha IN IN IN ELIM
18 Alejandro IN IN ELIM
19 Cate IN ELIM
20 Stephen ELIM
  (WINNER) This cook won the competition.
  (RUNNER-UP) This cook finished as a runner-up in the finals.
  (WIN) The cook won the individual challenge (Mystery Box Challenge/Skills Test or Elimination Test).
  (WIN) The cook was on the winning team in the Team Challenge and directly advanced to the next round.
  (HIGH) The cook was one of the top entries in the individual challenge but didn't win.
  (HIGH) The cook was one of the top entries in the Team Challenge.
  (IN) The cook wasn't selected as a top or bottom entry in an individual challenge.
  (IN) The cook wasn't selected as a top or bottom entry in a team challenge.
  (IMM) The cook didn't have to compete in that round of the competition and was safe from elimination.
  (IMM) The cook had to compete in that round of the competition but was safe from elimination.
  (LOW) The cook was one of the bottom entries in an individual challenge, and was the last person to advance.
  (LOW) The cook was one of the bottom entries in the Team Challenge and they advanced.
  (ELIM) The cook was eliminated from MasterChef.

Episodes

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No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [7][8]Original air date [7][8]Prod.
code [7]		U.S. viewers
(millions)
2241"Back to Win - Audition Battles"May 25, 2022 (2022-05-25)MC-12011.75[9]
The judges invite back former contestants for a second chance to win the competition, with only 20 white aprons being handed out. The winner will receive $250,000 and the trophy, as well as a set of appliances from Viking Range. The contestants will have 45 minutes to prepare a redemption dish in a head-to-head battle. Former runners-up Adrien, Brandi, Derrick, and Natasha compete against each other, and Brandi and Derrick both earn an apron. The second group features season nine alums Emily, Julia, Lindsey and Shanika. Emily and Shanika advance. The next group consists of Amanda, Christian, Lexy, and Wuta. Amanda and Christian also advance.
2252"Back to Win - Audition Battles (Part 2)"June 1, 2022 (2022-06-01)MC-12022.25[10]
The auditions continue with former seventh-place finishers Derrick, Micah, Tommy and Willie. Tommy and Willie earn an apron each. Next, Cate, Daniel, Michael and Sarah cook against each other. Cate and Michael advance. The third group consists of Brien, Bowen, Newton and Stephen. Bowen and Stephen also advance. The last group of the day features MasterChef Junior alums Dara, Shayne and Tae-ho. Dara and Shayne receive the next two aprons.
2263"Back to Win - Audition Battles (Part 3)"June 8, 2022 (2022-06-08)MC-12032.17[11]
The final rounds of the audition commence as Bri, Olivia, Fred, and Felix compete. Bri and Fred earn their aprons. Next, Keturah, Alejandro, Samantha, and Jaimee cook against each other. Alejandro and Samantha advance. The final competing group is Gabriel, Malcolm, Sheetal, and Shelly. Shelly and Gabriel receive their aprons, rounding out the Top 20.
2274"Dish That Sent You Home"June 15, 2022 (2022-06-15)MC-12042.38[12]

  • Elimination Challenge: The top 20 are given one hour to reinvent the dish that resulted in their first elimination. Emily, Willie and Shanika are the top three, and Emily wins the challenge, winning the first immunity pin. Gabriel, Stephen, and Tommy are singled out for having the worst three dishes.
  • Challenge winner/Immune: Emily Hallock
  • Bottom three: Gabriel Lewis, Stephen Lee and Tommy Walton
  • Eliminated: Stephen Lee
2285"Winners Mystery Box - Spirit of Vegas"June 22, 2022 (2022-06-22)MC-12052.35[13]

  • Mystery Box Challenge: Emily is immune from elimination. The remaining contestants face a mystery box challenge set by season seven winner Shaun O'Neale. They are given one hour to cook a dish featuring the spirit under their box. Brandi, Christian and Fred are the top three, and Fred wins, earning the immunity pin. Cate, Dara, and Tommy land in the bottom three.
  • Challenge winner/Immune: Fred Chang
  • Bottom three: Cate Meade, Dara Yu and Tommy Walton
  • Eliminated: Cate Meade
2296"Back to Win: Feeding the U.S. Coast Guard"June 29, 2022 (2022-06-29)MCH-12062.23[14]

  • Team Challenge: For the top 18's first team challenge, they must cater to 101 U.S. Coast Guards. Fred is safe from elimination, but still has to participate in the cook. The judges divided the teams up with the Blue team consisting of everyone from the first season to season seven and the two former Junior contestants, and the Red team consisting of everyone from season eight to season eleven. Christian led the Blue team while Alejandro led the Red team. The Blue team won 71-30 and rather than putting people in the bottom based on their performances, the judges immediately eliminate Alejandro.
  • Challenge winners: Amanda Saab, Brandi Mudd, Christian Green, Dara Yu, Derrick Fox, Shayne Wells, Shelly Flash, Tommy Walton, and Willie Mike
  • Eliminated: Alejandro Valdivia
2307"Gordon Ramsay Loves Vegans!"July 13, 2022 (2022-07-13)MCH-12072.23[15]

  • Elimination Challenge: Gordon shows a vegan version of his beef wellington to the top 17. They are then given one hour to cook a vegan dish. Bowen, Derrick and Amanda are the top three, and Amanda wins, receiving the immunity pin. Fred, Samantha, and Shelly present the bottom three dishes.
  • Challenge winner/Immune: Amanda Saab
  • Bottom three: Fred Chang, Samantha Daily and Shelly Flash
  • Eliminated: Samantha Daily
2318"Southern Fusion with Guest Chef Tiffany Derry"July 20, 2022 (2022-07-20)MCH-12082.38[16]

  • Elimination Challenge: Amanda is safe from elimination. The 15 remaining contestants are joined by Tiffany Derry for their next challenge. They are tasked with cooking a fusion dish combining Southern cuisine with an international cuisine chosen randomly. Christian, Emily and Shelly are the top three, and Christian wins, winning the immunity pin. Bowen, Bri and Shayne are the bottom three.
  • Challenge winner/Immune: Christian Green
  • Bottom three: Bri Baker, Bowen Li and Shayne Wells
  • Eliminated: Shayne Wells
2329"Bake to Win"July 27, 2022 (2022-07-27)MCH-12092.35[17]

  • Elimination Challenge: Christian is immune from elimination. The remaining contestants are given 90 minutes to bake one of 14 desserts, with Christian deciding the order in which they select their desserts. Michael, Amanda and Dara are the top three, and Dara wins, earning the immunity pin. Bri, Shelly, and Tommy are called out for having the worst three dishes.
  • Challenge winner/Immune: Dara Yu
  • Bottom three: Bri Baker, Shelly Flash and Tommy Walton
  • Eliminated: Tommy Walton
23310"Cooking for Horse Town U.S.A."August 3, 2022 (2022-08-03)MCH-12102.22[18]

  • Team Challenge: The top 14 travel to Norco, California for their next team challenge, where they are asked to prepare a steak entree with sides for 101 cowboys and cowgirls. Bri is selected as the captain of the Red Team and Shelly as the captain of the Blue Team. The Red Team members consist of Bowen, Bri, Dara, Derrick, Fred, Gabriel and Michael; the Blue Team members consist of Amanda, Brandi, Christian, Emily, Shanika, Shelly and Willie. The Red Team is declared the winner. The judges deem Shelly's performance to be the weakest and she is eliminated.
  • Challenge winners: Bri Baker, Bowen Li, Dara Yu, Derrick Fox, Fred Chang, Gabriel Lewis and Michael Silverstein
  • Eliminated: Shelly Flash
23411"Winners Mystery Box - Christine Ha"August 10, 2022 (2022-08-10)MCH-12112.09[19]

  • Mystery Box Challenge: The top 13 are given a mystery box assembled by season three winner Christine Hà. They have one hour to cook a dish using every Vietnamese cuisine ingredient in the box. Christian, Michael and Dara are the top three, and Michael wins, receiving the immunity pin. Brandi, Bri, and Emily land in the bottom three.
  • Challenge winner/Immune: Michael Silverstein
  • Bottom three: Brandi Mudd, Bri Baker and Emily Hallock
  • Eliminated: Bri Baker
23512"Tag Team"August 17, 2022 (2022-08-17)MCH-12121.97[20]

  • Team Challenge: The top 12 are split into six teams of two: The Blue Team (Amanda and Willie), Green Team (Bowen and Shanika), Grey Team (Derrick and Michael), Maroon Team (Brandi and Christian), Orange Team (Dara and Fred), and Yellow Team (Emily and Gabriel) for a tag team challenge. They are tasked with recreating three of Gordon's signature dishes in 90 minutes, with the teams taking turns cooking and giving directions. The Green and Grey Teams are the top four, and the Green Team wins, winning two immunity pins. The Orange and Yellow Teams are the bottom four.
  • Challenge winners/Immune: Bowen Li and Shanika Patterson
  • Bottom four: Dara Yu, Emily Hallock, Fred Chang and Gabriel Lewis
  • Eliminated: Gabriel Lewis
23613"GrubHub Challenge"August 17, 2022 (2022-08-17)MCH-12131.97[20]

  • Elimination Challenge: Bowen and Shanika are safe from elimination. The nine remaining contestants are given 45 minutes to create an elevated version of a randomly selected take-out dish. Michael, Dara and Derrick are the top three, and Derrick wins, receiving the immunity pin. Fred and Willie's dishes are singled out as the two worst.
  • Challenge winner/Immune: Derrick Fox
  • Bottom two: Fred Chang and Willie Mike
  • Eliminated: Fred Chang
23714"Gas Station Gourmet"August 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)MCH-12142.33[21]

  • Elimination Challenge: Derrick is safe from elimination. The other nine contestants have 45 minutes to make a gourmet dish inspired by gas station food. Bowen, Christian and Shanika are the top three, and Christian and Shanika each receive an immunity pin for the second time. Brandi, Michael, and Willie present the three worst dishes.
  • Challenge winners/Immune: Christian Green and Shanika Patterson
  • Bottom three: Brandi Mudd, Michael Silverstein and Willie Mike
  • Eliminated: Brandi Mudd
23815"Winners Mystery Box - Gerron Hurt"August 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)MCH-12152.33[21]

  • Mystery Box Challenge: The seven contestants besides Christian and Shanika face their next mystery box challenge, set by season nine winner Gerron Hurt. They are given 45 minutes to cook a dish highlighting chili peppers. Amanda and Emily are the top two, and Emily wins, receiving an advantage in the following challenge. Bowen and Derrick land in the bottom two.
  • Challenge winner: Emily Hallock
  • Bottom two: Bowen Li and Derrick Fox
  • Eliminated: Bowen Li
23916"The Wall"August 31, 2022 (2022-08-31)MCH-12162.12[22]

  • Team Challenge: The top eight are divided into four teams of two, with Emily choosing the teams. She selects Michael as her partner, forming the Orange Team. She then pairs up Christian and Willie (Blue Team), Amanda and Derrick (Green Team), and Shanika and Dara (Red Team). The teams are allowed to cook any dish they want, but the members cannot see each other and must communicate to produce exact replications. The Blue Team wins the challenge, and the Orange Team is saved, putting the Green and Red Teams in the bottom four.
  • Challenge winners: Christian Green and Willie Mike
  • Bottom four: Amanda Saab, Dara Yu, Derrick Fox and Shanika Patterson
  • Eliminated: Amanda Saab and Derrick Fox
24017"Restaurant Takeover - Spago"August 31, 2022 (2022-08-31)MCH-12172.12[22]

  • Team Challenge: The top six takeover the kitchen of Wolfgang Puck's Los Angeles restaurant, Spago. For winning the previous challenge, Willie and Christian become team captains, with the judges picking the teams. Christian leads the Red Team with Emily and Dara, while Willie leads the Blue Team with Michael and Shanika. The teams are tasked with preparing and serving two appetizers and two entrees from the menu, with Gordon running the pass. The Red Team is declared the winner.
  • Challenge winners: Christian Green, Dara Yu, and Emily Hallock
  • Eliminated: Willie Mike
24118"Semi Finals"September 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)MCH-12182.32[23]

  • Pressure Test: In the first round of the semifinals, the top five are asked to recreate a baked Alaska in 75 minutes. Dara and Christian's desserts are judged to be the best, and Shanika is saved, leaving Emily and Michael as the bottom two.
  • Challenge winners: Christian Green and Dara Yu
  • Bottom two: Emily Hallock and Michael Silverstein
  • Eliminated: Emily Hallock
  • Pressure Test: The remaining contestants must keep up with Gordon in replicating his dish as he prepares it. They are given an additional 30 seconds to plate after he finishes. Michael and Shanika's dishes are considered the two worst.
  • Bottom two: Michael Silverstein and Shanika Patterson
  • Eliminated: Shanika Patterson
24219"Finale Part 1 - Special Guest Graham Elliot"September 7, 2022 (2022-09-07)MCH-12192.32[23]

  • Finale: The finalists must prepare and execute a three-course menu consisting of an appetizer, entree and dessert, with one hour to cook each course.
  • Appetizers: Michael serves cold smoked steelhead trout with a pomelo and cucumber aguachile, salsa macha and pickled cucumbers. Dara serves crispy skin red snapper with grilled asparagus and a miso Béarnaise sauce. Christian serves fried green tomato with a crawfish salad, remoulade sauce and caviar.
  • Former MasterChef judge Graham Elliot joins the judging panel for the second course. The entrees begin cooking as the first hour ends.
24320"Finale Part 2 - Special Guest Christina Tosi"September 14, 2022 (2022-09-14)MCH-12202.53[24]

  • Entree: Michael serves chili rubbed lamb loin with a roasted poblano grit cake, corn puree and birria jus. Dara serves Chinese-style short ribs with Japanese sweet potato, spiced carrot, caramelized onions and a carrot top gremolata. Christian serves a Cajun-rubbed filet mignon with shrimp & crab cake, sauteed turnip greens, parsnip puree and a tomato Cajun cream sauce.
  • Former judge Christina Tosi returns for the last course of the finale.
  • Dessert: Dara serves vanilla floating island with a crème anglaise, tropical fruit and caramelized forbidden rice. Michael serves tres leches with deep-fried milk, mango ice cream, Cajeta "goat's milk" caramel and a tropical fruit salsa. Christian serves his grandmother's banana pudding with a bourbon caramel sauce, salted pecans and a lemon cookie.
  • Final Three: Christian Green, Dara Yu and Michael Silverstein
  • Dara is named the winner, winning $250,000, the trophy and the MasterChef title.
  • MasterChef Winner: Dara Yu

References

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  1. ^ a b c Alexandra Del Rosario (April 5, 2022). "Fox Sets Summer Premiere Dates For So You Think You Can Dance, MasterChef, Lego Masters, Fantasy Island & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  2. ^ "FOX Renews MasterChef for a 12th Season, With Judges Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich" (Press release). Fox. August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  3. ^ Joe Otterson (August 18, 2021). "Masterchef Renewed for Season 12 at Fox". Variety. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Fox Brings the Heat This Summer With More Music, Competition, Fantasy And Non-Stop Laughter" (Press release). April 5, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.
  5. ^ First Look: Back To Win (Video). Fox. May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ Roxy Simons (May 23, 2022). "Every MasterChef Contestant Returning to Season 12 From Brandi Mudd to Dara Yu". Newsweek. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "MasterChef Episode Listings". The Futon Critic.
  8. ^ a b "MasterChef Season 12 Episode Guide". Zap2it.
  9. ^ Mitch Metcalf (May 26, 2022). "Wednesday 5.25.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  10. ^ Mitch Metcalf (June 1, 2022). "Wednesday 6.1.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  11. ^ Mitch Metcalf (June 9, 2022). "Wednesday 6.8.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  12. ^ Mitch Salem (June 16, 2022). "Wednesday 6.15.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  13. ^ Mitch Metcalf (June 23, 2022). "Wednesday 6.22.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  14. ^ Mitch Salem (June 30, 2022). "Wednesday 6.29.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  15. ^ Mitch Salem (July 14, 2022). "Wednesday 7.13.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  16. ^ Mitch Metcalf (July 21, 2022). "Wednesday 7.20.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  17. ^ Mitch Salem (July 28, 2022). "Wednesday 7.27.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  18. ^ Mitch Salem (August 4, 2022). "Wednesday 8.3.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  19. ^ Mitch Metcalf (August 11, 2022). "Wednesday 8.10.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Mitch Salem (August 18, 2022). "Wednesday 8.17.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (August 25, 2022). "Wednesday 8.24.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  22. ^ a b Mitch Salem (September 1, 2022). "Wednesday 8.31.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  23. ^ a b Mitch Salem (September 8, 2022). "Wednesday 9.7.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED w/ Broadcast Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  24. ^ Mitch Metcalf (September 15, 2022). "Wednesday 9.14.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
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