MasterChef US Season 8 aired May 31 to September 20, 2017 on Fox Network.
There were 20 contestants and the prize for the winner was $250,000, their own cookbook and a MasterChef trophy.
MasterChef US season 8 features MasterChef judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sanchez and Christina Tosi 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.
Adam Wong was a Harvard Student from Cambridge, Massachusetts.
He was eliminated in episode 13 after a chicken and potatoes cook off with Caitlin.
After MasterChef, Adam had an internship at Niskanen Center.
He was later a research fellow there.
Adam moved to Starburst Aerospace as an U.S. Accelerator Principal.
He was COO at Stealth Mode and currently works in sales at ATOMIC-6.
He also posts cooking videos on Youtube.
Brien O'Brien worked in Magazine Ad Sales and was from Redding, California.
He was eliminated in episode 9 after a cannoli pressure test.
After MasterChef, Brien returned to Culinary school to complete his training.
He vlogged about his experience at school and about working in various kitchens.
Brien worked at Bouchon Bistro on an internship.
He worked at numerous restaurants and wineries.
Brien has done several pop up dining events.
He made several appearances on local tv networks speaking about his experience on MasterChef.
Brien and his brother host podcast Talking NorCal with his brother.
Cate Meade was a Nutritionist from Chicago, Illinois.
She was eliminated in episode 19 after a cheese souffle challenge against Dino.
After MasterChef, Cate offers private dining experiences and is a Personal Meal Prep Chef.
She hosted food seminars and cookery classes.
Cate also offered a personal grocery shopping service.
Cate returned for MasterChef: Back to Win (season 12)
Caitlin Jones was a Dancer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
She was eliminated in episode 14 after a Mexican platter Team Challenge.
After MasterChef, Caitlin is a Event Caterer and Personal Trainer.
Caitlin was a food blogger, specialising in paleo diet but her website is no longer active.
She now offers private dinner parties and foraging/hunting experiences as the Wilds Wood Chef.
Daniel Pontes-Macedo was a Substitute Teacher from Medford, Massachusetts.
He was eliminated in episode 15 after a chocolate truffles challenge saw him in the bottom three.
After MasterChef, Daniel is a Private Chef.
He teaches cookery classes, online and in person and caters small events.
Daniel worked at Becks's Bistro Catering as an Executive Chef.
In June 2021, he opened a food truck called VictorEats Food Truck.
Dino Angelo Luciano was a Dancer from Bensonhurst, New York.
Dino was the MasterChef season 8 winner due to his unique menu with a twist of traditional dishes of squid ink pasta, lamb chop and tiramisu.
After MasterChef, Dino owns private chef company The Gourmet Rabbit.
He has hosted several pop up dining experiences and exclusive dinners.
Dino was Executive Chef at Muse and Market in Phoenix.
He also posted recipes on his YouTube channel.
Dino is currently a private chef.
He sells his seasonings online as Babydoll Season.
In 2020, he opened his first restaurant Le Mariachi, this closed in October 2021.
Eboni Henry was a Addiction Counselor from Chicago, Illinois.
Eboni was MasterChef season 8 runner up losing to Dino in the finale.
After MasterChef, Eboni was a Private chef, known as The Twerking Chef.
She offered private dining experiences.
Eboni was a guest chef on Youtube with Jacoby Ponder.
In 2022, Eboni appeared on Guy's Chance Of A Lifetime.
Gabriel Lewis was a Fast Food Server from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He was eliminated in episode 16 after his cannelloni lands him in the bottom two.
He was offered culinary training by Gordon.
Aaron offered him a job after his training.
After MasterChef, Gabriel took up Gordon's offer for culinary training.
He studied at the Culinary School at Johnson and Wales University’s Denver campus.
Gabriel planned to move to New Orleans and take up Aaron's offer.
He stayed for a few months before the pandemic hit and he moved back home.
Gabriel is now a Private Chef offering events catering, private dinners and online cookery classes.
He is a brand ambassador for several brands.
Gabriel returned for MasterChef: Back to Win (season 12)
Heather Dombrosky was a Registered Nurse from Miami, Florida.
She was eliminated in episode 5 after a scrambled eggs elimination challenge landed her in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Heather returned to her previous role as a nurse.
She worked for a local medical tech company.
Heather is currently a community nurse.
She is a Private Chef and offers catered dinner parties.
Heather is a surfer.
Jason Wang was a High School Music Teacher from Newton, Massachusetts.
Jason was a MasterChef season 8 runner up.
After MasterChef, Jason is a Private Chef and Culinary Instructor.
He was a TV host on Jason On Mission on FOX Taiwan and hosted other cookery shows.
Jason is also a freelance Tenor singer.
Jeff Philbin was a Marketing Director from Tampa, Florida.
He was eliminated in episode 18 after a salmon elimination challenge.
After MasterChef, Jeff returned to his previous role as a Marketing Director until June 2018.
He was a restaurant consultant and Private Chef and is currently Director of Business Strategy at an advertising company.
Jeff posts recipes online and appears on local cookery segments.
Jennifer Williams was a Debt Collector from Chalmette, Louisiana.
She was eliminated in episode 7 after a fish and chips pressure test.
After MasterChef, Jennifer was a Communication Director.
From her home, she offered private dining experiences.
Jennifer is owner of a a boutique store in Charleston called Second Line Art & Vintage.
She is also an interior designer.
Jennifer does pop up dining event and caters private dinners.
Jenny Cavellier was a Special Needs Therapist from Cincinnati, Ohio.
She was eliminated in episode 12 after a crawfish dumpling pressure test landed her in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Jenny was a training supervisor.
She was a National Account Director in the medical profession.
Jenny became Vice President Operations at BRE Program Administrative Services.
She is currently Director Of Operations at Help Therapy.
Mark Togni was a Stay-at-home Dad from Portland, Oregon.
He was eliminated in episode 3 after a retry of a Mystery Box challenge.
After MasterChef, Mark returned to raising his children as a Stay at home Dad.
Mark appeared on TV show Filthy Fortunes in 2025.
As a hobby he restores and sells Porsche cars.
Mike Newton was a Ranch Owner from Lipan, Texas.
He was eliminated in episode 11 after a champagne poached oysters pressure test.
After MasterChef, Mike is a Private Chef.
He offers pop up dining events, cooking classes and private dining experiences.
He is chef owner at Newton’s Cellar.
In 2021, Mike opened Newton's Saddle Rack.
In 2023, they added a chefs table for private dining.
He and his wife Melanie own the Double N Ranch in Texas.
Necco Ceresani was a Marketing Manager from Newberry, South Carolina.
He was eliminated in episode 8 after a hanger steak elimination challenge landed him in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Necco was a Marketing Manager at Venture Fizz.
He later worked for remote access company logmein as a Growth Hacker.
Necco is currently Senior Director of Product Marketing at LinearB, having been promoted several times since 2020.
Paige Jimenez was a Swimsuit Model from Honolulu, Hawaii.
She was eliminated in episode 4 after a grilled pork chop pressure test landed her in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Paige got her culinary degree after returning to culinary school.
Paige turned down a role in a prestigous restaurant due to the hours.
She would have to turn down modelling jobs if she worked a kitchen.
Paige continues to model, she has appeared in fashion magazines.
She has also modelled for fashion brands.
Reba Billingsley was a Stay-at-home Mom from Carthage, Texas.
She was eliminated in episode 10 after a coconut elimination challenge lands her in the bottom four.
After MasterChef, Reba is a baker and private chef.
In 2020, she was writing a cook book but it appears that it was never published.
She often posted her recipes on social media.
Sam Reiff-Pasarew was a Creative Writing Teacher from Washington D.C.
He was eliminated in episode 6 after a lamb elimination challenge landed him in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Sam is Executive Producer/Founding Company Member at Story Pirates.
Story Pirates is a media company and does arts education.
They are based in Los Angeles and New York.
Sam has hosted several pop up cookery events.
He often posts photographs of his recipes on social media.
Yachecia Holston was a Minister from Detroit, Michigan.
She was in episode 18 after a salmon elimination challenge landed her in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Yachecia is a Private Chef.
She offers cooking lessons and private dining experiences.
Yachecia has done several pop up cookery events after moving to Nashville.
She married and is now known as Yachecia Jarmon.
In August 2025, she relocated to Michigan.
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