MasterChef US Season 9 Contestants Where Are They Now?

MasterChef US Season 9

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 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 owns a day care center.

She is CEO of Pretty in Pink Edibles and is also a Private Chef.


Ashley Mincey Ashley Mincey worked in Professional Grocery Shopper and was from Opa-Locka, Florida.

She was a MasterChef season 9 runner up.

After MasterChef, Ashley offers private dining experiences.

She is also a freelance recipe developer.

Ashley also does cookery demonstrations and pop up dining events.



Bowen Li 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 briefly returned to his previous career as a commercial pilot.

Bowen was Executive Chef of Bowen Bistro, that 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 Cesar Cano was a High School Teacher from Houston, Texas.

Cesar was a MasterChef season 9 runner up.

After MasterChef, Cesar returned to teaching and was offering private dinner party experiences.

He began teaching as a culinary instructor in 2019 and appeared at Camp MasterChef.

In 2024, he joined the PX Project, who teach culinary skills to young people to help them begin a culinary career.



Chelsea Sargent 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 sells jewellery on Etsy.

She is a private chef, offering private dining experiences and catering, specialising on grazing tables.

In 2022, she appeared on Guy's Chance of a Lifetime.


Darrick Krause 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 a private chef and offers private dining experiences and meal prep.

He is also working as an avionics engineer.


Emily Hallock 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 career in food research and moved to New Orleans.

She has done a number of private dining events.

In 2019, Emily moved to Chicago and was a Research Manager for a Food Production company.

She currently works in Consumer Insights.

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


Farhan Momin 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 complete his education and qualified as a Dentist.

He offers private chef and catering services and has done guest appearances, cookery events and classes and pop up dinners.

Farhan is also working as a dentist.


Gerron Hurt 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 appeared at a number of cookery events in Louisville.

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

In 2019, he took part in Camp Masterchef, was a travelling chef.

Gerron returned to MasterChef in season 10 for a special wedding episode where Gordon officiated his marriage.

Gerron launched his own food truck Southern Ego with rave reviews, especially for his fried chicken.


Julia Danno 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 has done cookery demonstrations, pop up dining events and has had her recipes published.

In 2019, she began selling her cakes and desserts to local restaurants.

Julia sells cheesecakes as Juju’s Chicago Style Cheesecake.


Juni Cuevas 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 cookery lessons, event catering, meal planning and drag dinner parties.

Juni is also an actor.


Lindsay Haigh 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 previous role as an Attorney.

She offers private dining events under her brand Bowtie Blue by Chef Lindsay Haigh.

In December 2020, Lindsay opened Village Hearth Bakery & Café with her wife.



Mark Ingraham 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 his mother's restaurant McMahon’s in Washington.

He later moved to Illinois and is currently working in kitchens around Peoria.



Matt Houck 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 has returned to his previous career as an optometrist.

He offers private dining events with tasting menus.

In 2023, Matt won a special episode of Chopped.


Olusola Ogbomo 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 is a private chef and she offered private dining events.


Ralph Xavier Degala 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 is an accounting manager at Kendo Brands.

He has done a number of pop up dining events and experiences in LA.

Ralph has a Youtube channel where he posts recipe videos.


Ryan Cortez 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 continues to drum and appears at food events.

Ryan has also held a number of pop up dining events and hosted online cookery classes.


Sal Maida 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 cook and travel internationally.


Samantha Daily 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 ran cookery classes and worked in a local bakery.

In 2019, she became a student at the International Culinary Center in New York City.

She took up Gordon's offer of culinary training, that he offered after her elimination.

She sells cookies and cupcakes through A Daily Dose of Sugar.

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


SJ Yun 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.

He was due to open a food truck called TigerBelly until the pandemic hit.

SJ is now a chef at izakaya tora.



Shanika Patterson 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 offered private dining experiences and hosted pop up cookery events.

In 2021, she begun attending culinary school at The Culinary Institute of America.

She graduated in 2022.

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


Sid Hoeltzell 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 his own photography studio.

Sid also teaches photography classes.


Stephanie Willis 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 offers meal prep services.

She hosted a number of pop up cookery events.

Stephanie is the founder of Everybody Eats Philly, that helps to tackle food poverty by providing meals to the needy.

Please consider making a donation here.


Taylor Waltmon 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 career as a Director of Sales Training and Development.

She is now a VP of Sales and Development at Q1 Media.

Taylor was also a spin class teacher.


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