Best MasterChef USA Contestants
Luca was probably the most gentlemanly out of any guest on MasterChef so far. Shining examples are when he gave ingredients to people who needed them simply because he wanted to go against people who were trying their best.
One of the best MasterChef contestants. I love his personality. Is he the best cook? I don't know, but what I know for sure is that he has a likable personality.
I loved how he started off as a weak competitor and had a late-season breakout. After his wife came, he nailed almost every challenge. He was an amazing chef and a good person.
When I first saw there was a top 10 list for MasterChef contestants, I knew Christine would be #1. Such a nice person and very talented.
She never made excuses when she made mistakes (which she made hardly any to begin with), was always consistent with her dishes, and earned the respect of the other cooks, even though they were her competition.
Come on, stop saying that she won because she is blind. Gordon and Joe treated her the same as they treated other contestants. She won because she is talented.
Most talented contestant ever. Deserved to win the competition. Why isn't she first on this list?
Very unexpectedly liked her, but I felt she definitely earned her title 'Pastry Princess' in my book.
The first winner of the US MasterChef. Of course, her name deserves to be up there!
I wonder if people keep on voting for Tali and he makes it to number 1. Biggest troll in The Top Tens history.
#TeamTali forever. Only contestant who stood up for his cooking beliefs. He and Ryan saw right through Monti's nonsense.
Even though Christian was a very cocky villain, he was my favorite on Season 2 (besides Derrick Prince) because he had skill. Sure, he was cocky, but who wouldn't be? He could actually back up his cockiness with great dishes and nailed his spot, being in 3rd place after the judges weren't impressed with his veal dish.
I liked him at first, but he got really rude and cocky. He was a fun villain character to watch.
They actually said he was one of the nicest contestants off-camera.
Always good enough to make it through, but not great enough to win it all, sadly.
I preferred Dino to him, but he's honestly my second favorite contestant of all time. It's both a blessing and a curse that these two wonderfully positive human beings had to be in the same season.
Seriously? His excitement and love of food and his ever-so-bright personality have won my heart. I hope he wins the competition.
Absolutely one of my favorite contestants from Season 8! Him, Cate, Dino, and Eboni are my top four favorites.
He went on to win Food Network Star.
Really nice guy, not arrogant like other chefs on this show. People feel he screwed Josh over, but it's a competition, and he was thinking strategically. I like Josh too, but I disagree with his comment about Frank being a jerk. He's not a jerk. He's awesome.
Exceptional cook. His performance was consistently good, but gradually Christine took over him. I think he's more well-rounded than the runner-up, Joshua.
The Newcomers
A very excellent home cook during the competition. He kept evolving, showing the most unique signature techniques and dishes, and brought out flavors some wouldn't be able to.
Micah has so much heart and ambition. He is a young man who knows with all his heart and soul that being a chef is what he wants to do more than anything.
I admire his courage for standing up to those who did not support him or his passionate dream (including those who should have - yeah, you know who you are. Shame on you). I am a mother, and I cannot imagine not supporting my 40-year-old son on his heart's journey to a noble and worthy career, such as Micah's.
If Micah needs family support and encouragement at any time, my family will gladly adopt him or, at the very least, be his surrogate family. Honest! Micah, you're the best!
- theshortview
Very good cook and seemed like she could have actually won it all.
Glad she is higher than Courtney on this list.
So much more talented and consistent than the winner of her season, but she didn't flirt with the judges enough apparently.
Not only the sexiest (arguably) but also by far the most enduring, perseverant, courageous, and adventurous (objectively) contestant this show has ever witnessed. There have been many fantastic competitors in the past, but not one individual is comparable to Dino.
He had amazing technique, wonderful creativity, and a winning personality. He nailed pretty much every challenge and is easily one of the most deserving winners in MasterChef history.
Strongest character, strongest storyline throughout the season, and overall strongest contestant in MCUS history.
Very creative. Despite what others said about her memorizing recipes, her crab scotch egg was exceptional and her soup and soda bread were very clever. I think she was an intelligent and humble cook, as well as an exceptionally charming and nice person.
Almost everyone is biased against her, but she managed to outsmart her competitors.
Very hard working and had a really great memory for recipes for different challenges.
She is consistent and had high points but only lost to Luca in the finale.
I think Jessie is good enough to be in the top 10. She may lose out to Natasha in terms of consistency, but her leadership skills and her ability to handle pressure are without doubt.
"Everybody thinks you're in the show because you look good, but you're in the show because you cook good." - Gordon to Jessie
Great cook, and I was really impressed and happy that she sent Krissi home.
Had the best ratio of personality to raw skill. Seems like a solid dude who nailed life, and everyone else was jealous. Glad he could just laugh them off.
I don't know why everyone says he was a bad person. He told the truth and got bullied because he was a confident leader. I personally think it's because society has a problem with praising self-belief.
Also, I find it ironic how the female contestants bullied him for being a stay-at-home dad reliant on his wife. Check your privilege, women. He is living the dream.
He really deserved to win instead of Claudia.
I wish Derrick had won season 6, but he is doing well now. I love his food.
One of the nicest guys on this show. I wish they would have given him another chance, as he really only did poorly on one challenge.
Awesome cook. It was a damn shame he was eliminated so early!
Why did they send Terry home? He kicked ass!
Very entertaining in cooking and personality. Really fun to watch.
My favorite from season 2. Great personality and a good cook.
He was my favorite from season 2.