Reality TV was never the same after “MasterChef” premiered. Since it landed on Fox Network back in 2010, viewers have seen 13 winners take home the gold. With celebrity judges like Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, Joe Bastianich, Christina Tosi, and Aarón Sánchez added to the mix, it’s easy to understand why the cooking competition show has been such a hit.
The premise of “MasterChef” focuses on amateur chefs participating in cooking challenges, where they’ll be judged and critiqued by professionals. If they survive each weekly elimination, they get closer to receiving the title of MasterChef for the year. Winning this show serves as proof that you are a true culinary master, even without prior professional training. Although the individuals who sign up to compete are amateurs, winning “MasterChef” gives them something to boast about. The title isn’t the only prize each victor walks away with.
Winners also take home a golden MasterChef trophy and $250,000. During some past seasons, winners also received cookbook deals. Realistically speaking, a quarter of a million dollars is life-changing money for anyone living an average lifestyle in America. The prize fund is enough to motivate hopeful participants to compete to the best of their abilities — regardless of how difficult the challenges might be.
To gather this list of “MasterChef” winners and what they’re up to now, 24/7 Tempo consulted several food and entertainment sources. These include Mashed, Reality TV Revisited, and Tasting Table. (Regarding challenges faced in the kitchen, click here to uncover 10 of the most difficult foods to prepare.)
Season 1: Whitney Miller
Whitney Miller won the first-ever season of “MasterChef” back in 2010. She was born in Poplarville, Mississippi, and she agreed to compete when she was only 22 years old. Although Miller came across as shy and quiet while filming the show, she’s certainly blossomed in the food industry since winning “MasterChef.”
In 2017, she was chosen as one of TJ Maxx’s Hero Women. She’s also written and published a couple of cookbooks titled “Modern Hospitality” and “New Southern Table.” It’s possible to hire Miller through her website for her services as a menu developer, cooking class demonstrator, private chef or food stylist.
Season 2: Jennifer Behm
When Jennifer Behm won season 2 of “MasterChef” in 2011, it wasn’t exactly surprising to fans of the show. Her natural abilities in the kitchen made it obvious that she’d be the star who came out on top. Her runner-up, Adrian Nieto, couldn’t quite keep up with Behm in the midst of so many tough kitchen challenges.
Behm filmed “MasterChef” and saw her life change in significant ways after she triumphed. She launched her own company called Pink Martini Catering before opening a restaurant called Red Fin Crudo. The restaurant closed down in July 2020, but the fact that she opened its doors in the first place was still an impressive feat. According to her Instagram bio, she loves her current lifestyle as a micro-influencer and mother.
Season 3: Christine Ha
Born in Houston, Texas, Christine Ha signed up to participate in “MasterChef” for its third season in 2012. She was 32 years old at the time, and she gave everyone she competed against a run for their money. That includes Josh Marques, the man who finished in second place behind her.
Following her success on “MasterChef,” Ha began food blogging online, offering private chef services and drafting pages of her cookbook. Her cookbook titled “Recipes from My Home Kitchen: Asian and American Comfort Food” has now officially been published. As a definitive highlight of her career, Ha took home the Helen Keller Personal Achievement award in 2014, two years after her season of “MasterChef” aired.
Season 4: Luca Manfe
In 2013, Luca Manfe became the first man to win “MasterChef” at the age of 31. He dominated in the kitchen during the show’s fourth season. Manfe came straight from Astoria, New York to compete with goals of success brewing in his mind. Natasha Crnjac is the woman who landed in second place as his runner-up. One of the reasons Manfe impressed the judges is that he really knew what he was doing when cooking short ribs.
Following his time on “MasterChef,” Manfe opened up a food truck called The Lucky Fig, launched a catering service called Dinner with Luca, became a brand ambassador for Donna Italia, and published a cookbook titled “My Italian Kitchen: Favorite Family Recipes.” His food truck is no longer active, but his successes are still apparent.
Season 5: Courtney Lapresi
Courtney Lapresi left her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to compete on “MasterChef“ for its fifth season. She won the show in 2014 at the age of 25. Elizabeth Cauvel was the hopeful runner-up who came up short behind her. Lapresi transitioned from a life of dancing to a life of cooking when she signed up for “MasterChef.” It turned out to be a brilliant lifestyle move for her.
Her determination was enough to keep the judges impressed from start to finish. Following her win, she published a cookbook titled “Everyday Fancy: 65 Easy, Elegant Recipes for Meals, Snacks, Sweets, and Drinks.” The food industry isn’t something she’s still wrapped up in anymore, though. These days, Lapresi earns a living as a Tesla saleswoman.
Season 6: Claudia Sandoval
Claudia Sandoval dominated Season 6 of “MasterChef” in 2015. She was 31 years old at the time. Sandoval arrived to compete from La Mesa, California, and beat out the competition including her runner-up, Derrick Peltz. Before signing up for the show, she was working as an event manager. Now that “MasterChef” is over for her, the food industry has become a much bigger deal in her life than event management.
She was hired as an official judge for “MasterChef’s” spinoff “MasterChef Latino.” She also opened a Mexican bakery called El Cochi Dorado in 2020. To top it off, Sandoval wrote and published a cookbook titled “Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico” for lovers of Mexican cuisine to enjoy.
Season 7: Shaun O’Neale
Although working as a DJ would be an interesting career for many people, Sean O’Neale realized he wanted to pursue something a little different when he signed up to compete on “MasterChef’s” seventh season. Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, O’Neale won Season 7 at the age of 33. In 2016, his competitors simply couldn’t keep up. That includes two of his runner-ups, David Williams and Brandi Mudd.
As of now, O’Neale is the executive chef of Three Thirty-Three Restaurant Group, which is set to launch in 2024. The menu items are described as “Asian inspired with a modern twist.” O’Neale is an ambassador for a brand called Pit Boss Grills as well. His cookbook is titled “My Modern American Table” for cooks who appreciate modernized recipes. O’Neale offers online cooking classes and virtual cooking demonstrations for folks interested in learning how to make delicious food at home.
Season 8: Dino Angelo Luciano
Before Dino Angelo Luciano went above and beyond to win Season 8 of “MasterChef” in 2017, he was a 28-year-old professional dancer from Bensonhurst, New York. Eboni Henry and Jason Wang were two runner-ups who couldn’t get as far as Luciano when it came to tough kitchen challenges. These days, Luciano is popular on YouTube where he posts recipe videos for his subscribers to see.
He currently has almost 20,000 subscribers on the platform. According to his Instagram bio, Luciano makes and sells his own spices under the company name Babydoll Season as well. The official website for his powdered seasonings offers flavors with names like Garden of Eden, The Black Pearl and Mojave Desert. The price point for each tub of seasoning starts at $14.
Season 9: Gerron Hurt
After working as an English teacher in Louisville, Kentucky, Gerron Hurt signed up to win Season 9 of “MasterChef.“ He was only 25 years old at the time. Ashley Mincey and Cesar Cano were the two runner-ups who did everything in their power to beat Hurt in the competition. Still, Hurt was the ultimate victor.
After the show ended, Hurt invited Gordon Ramsay to be the officiant of his wedding. After that, he launched his own food truck called Southern Ego. Ordering meals from Hurt’s food truck is ideal for anyone obsessed with fried chicken. Hurt also offers private dining experiences and cooking classes through a business he launched called Family on a Plate LLC.
Season 10: Dorian Hunter
Season 10 of “MasterChef” finished with Dorian Hunter as the winner. She arrived to compete from Cartersville, Georgia. Hunter beat out every other contestant, including Sarah Faherty who finished as Hunter’s runner-up. According to Hunter’s official website, fans can book her chef services for weddings, corporate events and other social gatherings.
At the end of 2023, she offered an online cooking class called Holiday Cookie Palooza. Hunter’s cookbook is available for sale in hardcover and paperback formats titled “Not Your Average Southern Sides Chick: A Collection of Chef Dorian’s Favorite Side Dishes.” Her Instagram bio reminds reality TV fans that she was the first-ever African-American female winner of “MasterChef.”
Season 11: Kelsey Murphy
Kelsey Murphy transitioned from life as a physical therapist in Indianapolis, Indiana to life as a “MasterChef” winner in 2021. She took home the title and the $250 million cash prize during Season 11. Autumn Moretti and Suu Khin were the runner-ups who came up short against Murphy in nearly every kitchen challenge.
As of now, Murphy serves as a podcast co-host for a show called “The Real Eats With Kelsey and Pete.” She’s the founder of a catering company called Fisher’s Test Kitchen as well. With more than 41,000 followers on Instagram, it’s easy for “MasterChef” viewers to keep up with Murphy and any other updates she shares about her life. Her social media feed is full of tasty-looking recipes and clips that showcase her genuine personality.
Season 12: Dara Yu
Dara Yu wasn’t ready to throw in the towel and give up on cooking show competitions after losing the title during “MasterChef, Junior” Season 1. She was the runner-up that time around, but she knew she wanted to try again when she got a little older. She participated in “MasterChef” Season 12 at the age of 20 – and she actually won.
Yu beat other contestants including Christian Green and Michael Silverstein. The food industry is still a big deal to Yu who describes herself as the youngest winner of “MasterChef” in her Instagram bio. Her feed is full of delectable plates of food such as Chinese braised fish, deep-fried shrimp balls and almond croissants. These days, Yu can be hired as a private chef when she’s not busy sharing insights about her favorite recipes on social media.
Season 13: Grant Gillon
The most recent winner of “MasterChef” happens to be Grant Gillan from Altoona, Iowa. He won it all during Season 13 of “MasterChef” in 2023 at the age of 32. Kennedy Grace and Jennifer Maune were two runner-ups who simply couldn’t keep up with Gillon’s talents in the kitchen. As of now, “MasterChef” fans can keep up with Gillon on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. He is active on nearly all social media platforms.
Gillon shares pictures depicting what family life has been like for him since winning the show. He also uploads tons of content about his favorite recipes including fruit smoothies, cannolis, smoked butternut squash and more. Gillon recently offered a pop-up dinner in his local area for his neighbors to enjoy as well. The pop-up event was hosted at Altoona’s Terrace Hills Golf Course (On the subject of delicious food options, click here to find out about the tastiest food crazes that have surfaced since the ’70s.)