MasterChef US Season 8 Contestants Where Are They Now?

MasterChef US Season 8

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 Adam Wong from MasterChef season 8 was a Harvard Student from Cambridge, Massachusetts.

He was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 13 after a chicken and potatoes cook off with Caitlin.

After MasterChef, Adam was an intern and later a research fellow at Niskanen Center.

He currently works as U.S. Accelerator Principal at Starburst Aerospace and is also a food vlogger on Youtube.


Brien O'Brien Brien O'Brien from MasterChef season 8 worked in Magazine Ad Sales and was from Redding, California.

He was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 9 after a cannoli pressure test.

After MasterChef, Brien worked in kitchens and returned to Culinary school and vlogs about the experience.

He had an intern placement at Bouchon Bistro, worked at various restaurants and for wineries and does pop up dining events.

Brien co-hosts podcast Talking NorCal with his brother and appears on local TV talking about MasterChef.


Cate Meade Cate Meade from MasterChef season 8 was a Nutritionist from Chicago, Illinois.

She was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 19 after a cheese souffle skills test against Dino.

After MasterChef, Cate is a Personal Meal-Prep Chef and offers Private Dining experiences, cookery classes and seminars.

She also offers a personal grocery shopping service.

Cate returned for MasterChef: Back to Win (season 12)


Caitlin Jones Caitlin Jones from MasterChef season 8 was a Dancer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

She was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 14 after a Mexican platter Team Challenge.

After MasterChef, Caitlin is a Personal Trainer and Event Caterer.

Caitlin was a paleo food blogger but her website is no longer active.


Daniel Pontes-Macedo Daniel Pontes-Macedo from MasterChef season 8 was a Substitute Teacher from Medford, Massachusetts.

He was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 15 after a chocolate truffles challenge saw him in the bottom three.

After MasterChef, Daniel is a Private Chef, caters small events and teaches cookery classes, both online and in person.

He was an Executive Chef at Becks's Bistro Catering before opening food truck VictorEats Food Truck in June 2021.


Dino Angelo Luciano 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 of traditional dishes of squid ink pasta, lamb chop and tiramisu.

After MasterChef, Dino has hosted a number of exclusive dinners and 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.


Eboni Henry Eboni Henry from MasterChef season 8 was a Addiction Counselor from Chicago, Illinois.

She was MasterChef season 8 runner up losing to Dino in the finale.

After MasterChef, Eboni is a Private chef offering private dining experiences.

She features in cookery videos on Youtube with Jacoby Ponder.



Gabriel Lewis Gabriel Lewis from MasterChef season 8 was a Fast Food Server from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 16 after his cannelloni lands him in the bottom two.

He was offered culinary training by Gordon and Aaron offered him a job after his training.

After MasterChef, Gabriel took up Gordon's offer.

He studied at Johnson and Wales University’s Denver campus's Culinary School.

Gabriel planned to move to New Orleans and take up Aaron's offer before the pandemic hit.

He is now a Private Chef offering private dinners and events catering, online cookery classes and is a brand ambassador for a number of brands.

Gabriel returned for MasterChef: Back to Win (season 12)


Heather Dombrosky Heather Dombrosky from MasterChef season 8 was a Registered Nurse from Miami, Florida.

She was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 5 after a scrambled eggs elimination challenge landed her in the bottom two.

After MasterChef, Heather is a nurse and works for a medical tech company.

She has also been a Private Chef for dinner parties and is an avid surfer.


Jason Wang Jason Wang from MasterChef season 8 was a High School Music Teacher from Newton, Massachusetts.

He was a MasterChef season 8 runner up.

After MasterChef, Jason is a Chef, Culinary Instructor.

He was a TV host on Jason On Mission on FOX Taiwan and other cookery shows.

Jason is also a freelance Tenor singer.


Jeff Philbin Jeff Philbin from MasterChef season 8 was a Marketing Director from Tampa, Florida.

He was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 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 Jennifer Williams from MasterChef season 8 was a Debt Collector from Chalmette, Louisiana.

She was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 7 after a fish and chips pressure test.

After MasterChef, Jennifer was a Communication Director and offered private dining experiences in her home.

She is currently owner of Second Line Art & Vintage, a boutique store in Charleston and offers interior design services.

Jennifer also caters private dinners and pop up dining events.


Jenny Cavellier Jenny Cavellier from MasterChef season 8 was a Special Needs Therapist from Cincinnati, Ohio.

She was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 12 after a crawfish dumpling pressure test landed her in the bottom two.

After MasterChef, Jenny was a training supervisor.

She is currently a National Account Director in the medical profession.


Mark Togni Mark Togni from MasterChef season 8 was a Stay-at-home Dad from Portland, Oregon.

He was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 3 after a retry of a Mystery Box challenge.

After MasterChef, Mark returned to being a Stay-at-home Dad.


Mike Newton Mike Newton from MasterChef season 8 was a Ranch Owner from Lipan, Texas.

He was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 11 after a champagne poached oysters pressure test.

After MasterChef, Mike is a Private Chef.

He offers private dining experiences, cookery classes and pop up dining events.

He is chef owner at Newton’s Cellar.


Necco Ceresani Necco Ceresani from MasterChef season 8 was a Marketing Manager from Newberry, South Carolina.

He was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 8 after a hanger steak elimination challenge landed him in the bottom two.

After MasterChef, Necco is a writer at Venture Fizz, a Marketing Manager.

He was a Growth Hacker at logmein, a remote access company.

Necco is currently Director of Product Marketing at LinearB.


Paige Jimenez Paige Jimenez from MasterChef season 8 was a Swimsuit Model from Honolulu, Hawaii.

She was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 4 after a grilled pork chop pressure test landed her in the bottom two.

After MasterChef, Paige returned to culinary school and got her culinary degree.

She turned down a position in a top restaurant as the hours would mean she could not model.

Paige continues to model for fashion brands and has appeared in magazines including Cosmo.


Reba Billingsley Reba Billingsley from MasterChef season 8 was a Stay-at-home Mom from Carthage, Texas.

She was eliminated in MasterChef season 8 episode 10 after a coconut elimination challenge lands her in the bottom four.

After MasterChef, Reba is a private chef.

In 2020, she was writing her first cook book that is yet to be published.

She regularly posts recipes on social media.


Sam Reiff-Pasarew Sam Reiff-Pasarew from MasterChef season 8 was a Creative Writing Teacher from Washington D.C.

He was in MasterChef season 8 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, an arts education and media company based in New York and Los Angeles.

Sam has done a number of pop up cookery events and regularly posts food pics on his social media.


Yachecia Holston Yachecia Holston from MasterChef season 8 was a Minister from Detroit, Michigan.

She was in MasterChef season 8 episode 18 after a salmon elimination challenge landed her in the bottom two.

After MasterChef, Yachecia is a Private Chef, offering private dining experiences. and cooking lessons

She has done a number of local pop up cookery events in Nashville.


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