MasterChef US Winners Where Are They Now?

The MasterChef winners win $250,000, their own cookbook and a MasterChef trophy.

In later seasons, they stopped offering the cookbook and instead the judges offer training at their restaurants.

MasterChef features MasterChef judges Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, Joe Bastianich, Christina Tosi and Aarón Sánchez testing the culinary skills of amateur chefs from the USA.

They undertake a number of challenges and dishes to prepare, with those failing to impress being sent home.

Continue reading below to find out what happened next to the MasterChef USA winners.

Whitney Miller from MasterChef season 1 was a College Student from Poplarville, Mississippi.

She was the MasterChef season 1 winner due to her natural ability in the kitchen.

After MasterChef, Whitney completed her degree after returning to college.

Whitney published Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm.

After this she published another cookbook called Whitney Miller’s New Southern Table.

She has stayed involved in the kitchen.

Whitney has many television cookery segments, published recipes, cookery demonstrations and she enters competitions.

She is also in recipe development and does consultancy work.

Whitney can be hired as a food stylist through her website.

In 2020, Whitney launched a company offering mail order cookies called Whitney's Cookies.

Jennifer Behm from MasterChef season 2 was a Realtor from Wilmington, Delaware.

She was the MasterChef Season 2 winner after her three course meal was well received by the judges.

After MasterChef, Jennifer did a number of cookery events/demonstrations.

Jennifer started catering company Pink Martini Catering.

In 2015, Jennifer and her husband Julio opened Red Fin Crudo.

Red Fin Crudo closed in July 2020 with the owners moving to offer private chef services.

Jennifer was on MasterChef season 10 with other past winners.

Christine Hà from MasterChef season 3 was a student from Houston, Texas.

She was the MasterChef Season 3 winner due to her menu in the final.

After MasterChef, Christine Ha's cookbook Recipes from My Home Kitchen: Asian and American Comfort Food was published.

She offered private chef services, is a brand ambassador and a food blogger.

Christine co-hosts a television show Four Senses, a cookery programme for those with visual impairments.

She judged MasterChef Vietnam and appeared on MasterChef US.

In 2014, she received the Helen Keller Personal Achievement Award.

Christine opened her first restaurant The Blind Goat in Houston in July 2019.

She opened second restaurant Xin Chao with Tony J. Nguyen in 2020 before leaving in 2023.

In 2023, she opened Stuffed Belly, a drive-thru sandwich shop.

Luca Manfé from MasterChef season 4 was a Restaurant Manager from Astoria, New York.

He was the MasterChef season 4 winner.

His three course meal was praised by Gordon and the other judges.

Luca's short ribs especially received high praise.

After MasterChef, Luca published his first cook book called My Italian Kitchen: Favorite Family Recipes.

He launched Dinner with Luca, a personal catering service.

He launched a food truck The Lucky Fig but it closed after close to a year.

Luca and other winners hosted online cookery classes.

Luca also does cookery demonstrations and dining experiences.

He was a brand ambassador for Donna Italia.

Luca has since become a private chef.

Courtney Lapresi from MasterChef season 5 was a Dancer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She was the MasterChef season 5 winner due to impressing the judges with her eclectic three course meal.

After MasterChef, Courtney published cookbook Everyday Fancy: 65 Easy, Elegant Recipes for Meals, Snacks, Sweets, and Drinks.

She now works for Tesla, working in sales.

Claudia Sandoval from MasterChef season 6 was an Events Manager from La Mesa, California.

She was the MasterChef season 6 winner after impressing the judges with her three course Mexican meal.

After MasterChef, Claudia published Claudia's Cocina: A Taste of Mexico.

She started catering business Claudia's Cocina and is a brand ambassador, working with many large brands.

She hosted culinary classes and online cookery classes with winners from the show.

Claudia became a MasterChef Latino judge.

In June 2020, she opened El Cochi Dorado.

Shaun O'Neale from MasterChef season 7 was a DJ from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Shaun was the MasterChef season 7 winner due to his three dishes impressing the judges.

After MasterChef, Shaun released his cookbook called My Modern American Table: Recipes for Inspired Home Cooks.

He has hosted many cookery demonstrations and pop up dining events.

He and some of the other winners hosted online cookery classes.

In 2020, Shaun became co-owner of The Blind Pig.

He later opened restaurant Larrea Las Vegas in 2021.

He worked there as Executive Chef until January 2022.

As of 2024, Shaun is Executive Chef at Three Thirty Three Restaurant.

Dino Angelo Luciano from MasterChef season 8 was a Dancer from Bensonhurst, New York.

He was the MasterChef season 8 winner due to his unique menu with a twist on traditional dishes.

After MasterChef, Dino has hosted a number of private dinners.

He also does pop up dining experiences as The Gourmet Rabbit.

Dino was Executive Chef at Muse and Market in Phoenix.

He also posted recipes on YouTube.

Dino is currently a private chef and sells his own seasonings online.

Gerron Hurt from MasterChef season 9 was an English Teacher from Louisville, Kentucky.

He was the MasterChef season 9 winner due to his southern themed menu being well received by the judges.

After MasterChef, Gerron has been at several cookery events in Louisville.

He launched Family on a Plate LLC, offering private dining experiences and cooking classes.

In 2019, he was at Camp Masterchef and was a travelling chef.

Gerron returned in season 10 for a special episode, featuring his marriage in front of many other previous contesants.

Gerron launched a food truck called Southern Ego with his fried chicken being a big hit.

Dorian Hunter from MasterChef season 10 was a Creeler from Cartersville, Georgia.

Dorian Hunter was the MasterChef season 10 winner.

Her final menu was well received by the judges.

After MasterChef, Dorian took up training at the restaurants of the three judges.

She published a cookbook, Not Your Average Southern Sides Chick.

She had planned to use her winnings to contribute towards opening a restaurant.

Dorian is a private chef offering events catering.

Kelsey Murphy from MasterChef season 11 was a Physical therapist from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Kelsey was the MasterChef Season 11 winner after her menu of ravioli, duck and panna cotta impressed the judges.

After Masterchef, Kelsey partnered with Grubhub, sharing her favourite recipes.

She started The Real Eats with Kelsey and Pete, a food podcast.

Kelsey works at the Bullseye Event Group as a Head Chef.

She appeared on cookery segments on the CBS local morning shows and FOX.

Kelsey is currently a private chef, offering various services including private dining experiences.

Dara Yu competed in MasterChef Junior season 1, where she was the runner up.

Dara Yu was the MasterChef Season 12 winner after impressing the judges with her both dishes and ability.

After MC Junior, Dara studied at the Culinary Institute of America.

She gained a degree in Baking and Pastry Arts.

Dara works as a Private chef.

She is a food content creator sharing recipes and more on social media.

Grant Gillon was a Brewery sales directort from Altoona, Iowa. He was on Team Midwest.

He was the Masterchef season 13 winner due to his consistently high quality menu.

After MasterChef, Grant has done several pop up dinners at a golf course.

Grant shares content with his son and is a food content creator.

He would like to open a restaurant in the future.

In December 2023, Grant and his wife had another son.

Michael Leonard was a Business Owner from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was on Team Millennials.

He was the MasterChef season 14 winner after his complicated menu was a hit with the judges.

After MasterChef, Michael is a Private Chef.

He offers private dining experiences.

Michael is also a content creator, sharing food content on his social media.

Jessica Bosworth and Jesse Rosenwald were in a Long Term Relationship and from Boston, Massachusetts.

They were the MasterChef Season 15 winners after their love letter to New England themed menu won over the judges.

After MasterChef, Jessica and Jesse appeared on Boston 25 News for a cookery demonstration.

On social media they have hinted at launching a pizza company/restaurant.

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