MasterChef US Season 9 aired May 30 to September 19, 2018 on Fox Network.
There were 24 contestants and the prize for the winner was $250,000 and a MasterChef trophy.
MasterChef US season 9 features MasterChef judges Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Aarón Sanchez 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.
Alecia Winters was a Daycare Owner from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
She was eliminated in episode 7 after a churros with chocolate sauce elimination challenge.
After MasterChef, Alecia returned to the day care center that she owned.
She is a Private Chef and also CEO of Pretty in Pink Edibles.
Alecia opened a catering company called Only Pans Catering (lol).
Ashley Mincey worked in Professional Grocery Shopper and was from Opa-Locka, Florida.
She was a MasterChef season 9 runner up.
After MasterChef, Ashley is a private chef, offering private dining.
She is a culinary artist and freelance recipe developer.
Ashley also does pop up dining events and cookery demonstrations.
Since 2022, Ashley is a Class Instructor for Scott's Pizza Tours.
Bowen Li was a Pilot from Tianjin, China.
He was eliminated in episode 20 after a filet mignon skills test against Samantha.
After MasterChef, Bowen taught private cookery classes.
He had briefly returned to his previous career as a commercial pilot.
Bowen was Executive Chef of Bowen Bistro.
The restaurant was owned by his husband David Li.
Reviews were excellent.
Bowen Bistro closed in 2023.
Bowen returned for MasterChef: Back to Win (season 12)
Cesar Cano was a High School Teacher from Houston, Texas.
Cesar was a MasterChef season 9 runner up.
After MasterChef, Cesar returned to teaching high school students.
He was offering private dinner party experiences.
Cesar began teaching as a culinary instructor in 2019.
He appeared at Camp MasterChef.
In 2024, he joined the PX Project, who teach cooking skills to young people who want a career in cooking.
Chelsea Sargent was a Sales Specialist from Houston, Texas.
She was eliminated in episode 13 after a halibut elimination challenge saw her in the bottom three.
After MasterChef, Chelsea is a private chef, offering catering and private dining experiences.
Her speciality is grazing tables for parties and events.
In 2022, she appeared on Guy's Chance of a Lifetime.
She had previously sold custom made jewellery from her Etsy account.
Darrick Krause was an Engineer from Peoria, Arizona.
He was eliminated in episode 6 after a banana cream pie pressure test lands him in the bottom three.
After MasterChef, Darrick is an avionics engineer and private chef.
Darrick offers meal prep services and private dining experience as The Cycling Cook.
He also offers cooking classes and events catering.
Emily Hallock was a Food Research Analyst from Neenah, Wisconsin.
She was eliminated in episode 14 after choosing to go up against Shanika in a Black Forest cake pressure test.
After MasterChef, Emily returned to her previous role in food research.
She moved to New Orleans.
Emily did several private dining events.
In 2019, Emily moved to Chicago.
Emily worked at a Food Production company as a Research Manager.
She currently works in Consumer Insights and is a food blogger.
Emily returned for MasterChef: Back to Win (season 12)
Farhan Momin was a Dental Student from Chicago, Illinois.
He was eliminated in episode 18 after a chocolate dessert pressure test landed him in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Farhan returned to finish his education and qualified as a Dentist.
He offers catering services as a private chef.
Farhan has done several pop up dinners, guest appearances and cookery classes and events.
He is a dentist and is a partner at Chicago Dental 312.
In 2020, he opened Atlanta Halal Meat & Food, this later closed in 2021.
Gerron Hurt was an English Teacher from Louisville, Kentucky.
Gerron was the MasterChef season 9 winner due to his southern themed menu being well received by the judges.
After MasterChef, Gerron has hosted several cookery events in Louisville.
He opened Family on a Plate LLC, offering cooking classes and private dining experiences.
In 2019, he was a was a travelling chef and appeared at Camp Masterchef, .
Gerron returned to MasterChef in season 10 for a special episode.
During the episode, Gordon officiated his marriage to wife Brandi.
Gerron launched a food truck called Southern Ego.
The reviews are excellent, with high praise for the fried chicken.
In 2025, Gerron will be part of the MasterChef All-Star Live Tour.
Julia Danno was a Sales Manager from Miami, Florida.
She was eliminated in episode 17 after a scraps elimination challenge landed her in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Julia is a Private Chef.
She did several pop up dining events and cookery demonstrations.
Julia has had many of her recipes published.
In 2019, she began selling cakes and desserts to local businesses.
Julia now sells cheesecakes as Juju’s Chicago Style Cheesecake.
She married in 2021 and later divorced in 2024.
Juni Cuevas was a Disability Analyst from Raleigh, North Carolina.
He was eliminated in episode 8, a special episode catering Shaun O'Neale's wedding.
After MasterChef, Juni is a Private chef.
He offers meal planning, event catering, cookery lessons and drag dinner parties.
In 2018, Juni started acting.
Lindsay Haigh was a Trial Attorney from Orange, Massachusetts.
She was eliminated in episode 9 after a Salisbury steak elimination challenge.
After MasterChef, Lindsay returned to her career as an Attorney.
She launched Bowtie Blue by Chef Lindsay Haigh, offering private dining events .
In December 2020, Lindsay and her wife opened Village Hearth Bakery & Café.
Mark Ingraham was a Dishwasher from Rockport, Maine.
He was eliminated in episode 11 after a cupcake pressure test judged by Christina Tosi.
After MasterChef, Mark worked at McMahon’s in Washington, his mother's restaurant.
He later moved to Peoria, Illinois and has worked in kitchens in the area.
In 2023, he moved to Chicago.
In June 2025, Mark was arrested for public urination/defecation and possession of a controlled substance.
Matt Houck was a Optometrist from Iowa City, Iowa.
He was eliminated in episode 9 after a cajun seafood mystery box landed him in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Matt returned to his role as an optometrist.
Alongside this he is a private chef, offering tasting menus and private dining events.
In 2023, Matt won a special episode of Chopped.
In 2025, he was a guest judge at Louie’s 19th Annual Charity Gumbo Cook-off & Crawfish Boil.
Olusola Ogbomo was a Bus Driver from Columbia, South Carolina.
She was eliminated in episode 5 after a crab eggs Benedict Elimination challenge.
After MasterChef, Olusola returned to her previous role as a bus driver.
Olusola was also a private chef.
She did several private dining events in her local area.
Ralph Xavier Degala was a Senior Accountant from Houston, Texas.
He was eliminated in episode 12 after a citrus fruit elimination challenge.
After MasterChef, Ralph worked Kendo Brands as an Accounting Manager.
He has since had various roles in finance and is currently Controller at Fear of God.
Ralph shares recipe videos on his Youtube channel.
He has several dining experiences and pop up dining events in Los Angeles.
Ralph is now married and the couple had a son in 2024.
Ryan Cortez was a Drummer from Houston, Texas.
He was eliminated in episode 10 after a cheese soufflé elimination challenge landed him in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Ryan returned to his previous career as a drummer.
He also appeared at local food events.
Ryan hosted a number of pop up dinners and online cookery classes.
In 2024, he was a chef at Nickel City Bar in Houston.
Sal Maida was an Architect from Los Angeles, California.
He was eliminated in episode 4 after a native ingredient mystery box landed him in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Sal is an artist.
He continues to travel internationally and cook.
Sal worked in roles in architecture and home design until 2021.
From 2021, Sal works more in the sales and marketing side of the property industry.
Sal married wife Haley and has a son.
Samantha Daily was a College Student from West Des Moines, Iowa.
She was eliminated in episode 21 after a three course pressure test against Gerron.
After MasterChef, Samantha worked in a local bakery and hosted cooking classes.
In 2019, she became a culinary student at the International Culinary Center in New York City.
She took up Gordon's offer of culinary training.
Gordon had offered her culinary training after her elimination.
She sells cookies and cupcakes through A Daily Dose of Sugar.
She returned for MasterChef: Back to Win (season 12)
Seung Joo aka SJ Yun was a College Student from Los Angeles, California.
He was eliminated in episode 13 after a halibut elimination challenge landed him in the bottom three.
After MasterChef, Seung Joo returned to college and later graduated.
He planned to open a food truck called TigerBelly until the pandemic hit and he was forced to delay the project.
SJ is now chef/owner at izakaya tora, after opening the restaurant in 2023.
Shanika Patterson was an Event Promoter from Miami, Florida.
She was eliminated in episode 16 after a pasta pressure test landed her in the bottom two.
After MasterChef, Shanika is a Private Chef.
She hosted pop up cookery events and offered private dining experiences..
In 2021, she started studying at The Culinary Institute of America.
Shanika graduated in 2022.
She returned for MasterChef: Back to Win (season 12)
Sid Hoeltzell was a Food Photographer from Detroit, Michigan.
He was eliminated in episode 3 after a steak and potatoes elimination challenge.
After MasterChef, Sid returned to his previous career as a food and beverage photographer.
He owns a photography studio.
Sid teaches photography classes.
He shares his amazing food photography on his Instagram profile.
In 2020, Sid was given a food column at The Biscayne Times.
Stephanie Willis was a Bartender from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
She was eliminated in episode 5 after a crab eggs Benedict elimination challenge.
After MasterChef, Stephanie is a Private Chef.
She offered meal prep services and hosted pop up cookery events.
Stephanie is the founder of Everybody Eats Philly.
The company aims to tackle food poverty by providing meals to those that need them.
Please consider making a donation here.
She later opened the Everybody Eats Cafe in 2024.
Taylor Waltmon was a Sales Training Director from Houston, Texas.
She was eliminated in episode 15 after a Mediterranean platter elimination challenge.
After MasterChef, Taylor returned to her previous role as a Director of Sales Training and Development.
She works at Q1 Media, she was VP of Sales and Development and is currently Chief Learning Officer.
Taylor also taught spin classes at LOVE Cycling Studio.
She now goes by Taylor Pokorny after marrying her husband Andy.
The couple have two children.
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