Welcome to the season 5 finale of MasterChef! It has been 18 weeks since we first laid eyes on the top 30, and tonight, we are down to the final three! This has been such an incredible season. We have seen these amazing home chefs cook in local diners, football fields, rock and roll hotels-they even catered a wedding! Nothing has been predictable this season, with some fan favorites going home early and other chefs holding out longer than anyone would have thought.
Tonight we get to see the final three-Leslie, Elizabeth, and Courtney-face off in the toughest challenges of the season. Who will be crowned the winner of MasterChef season 5? Will it be the king of the pressure tests, Leslie? Will it be the queen of the balcony, Courtney? Or will it be the princess of flavors and presentation, Elizabeth? Read on to find out! Cooking for 50 Chefs
This two-hour season finale starts out with a bang. What is the first challenge these three finalists must overcome? Cooking for 50 chefs, from 50 states-and not just any chefs, some of the best chefs in the country! Tonight these home chefs will be cooking an entrée that must blow away chefs like Cat Cora, Susan Feniger, Jeff Goldman-chefs that have been on shows like Top Chef Masters, Ace of Cakes, Iron Chef America, and more! What a privilege, yet what an incredibly daunting task! I think each chef has what it takes to cook a standout dish, but will their nerves get the best of them?
Leslie, Elizabeth, and Courtney have 90 minutes to cook 50 world-class, restaurant-quality dishes to secure a spot in the final. The top dish will advance to the final right away, and the bottom two dishes will face off in a pressure test. Thankfully they don't have to cook 50 dishes alone! Six of this seasons best chefs have returned to help out their fellow competitors. Leslie gets the help of Ahran and Christian, Courtney gets Daniel and Willie as his sous chefs, and Elizabeth gets Jaimee and Victoria.
These top 50 chefs are expecting incredible flavors, presentation, culinary magic, and raw talent. How do you serve something to the best chefs in America that they have never seen before? Results
Leslie: Filet mignon w/ herb gnocchi - Cooked perfectly, a classic combinationCourtney: Pan seared halibut w/ beet dashi vermicelli - Well cooked fish, great broth, sophisticatedElizabeth: Pan seared red snapper w/ cauliflower trio - Every component works together, restaurant quality
Best Dish: Elizabeth Pressure Test: State Cakes
Because Elizabeth had the best dish, she automatically advances to the finale. That means Leslie and Courtney must face off in a cake challenge-a three-cake challenge to be exact. Courtney and Leslie must cook three different cakes, from three different regions in America: a New York Cheesecake, a Florida Key Lime Pie, and a Boston Cream Pie. They only have two hours to do this. Whoever cooks the best of three cakes moves on to the finale. Results
Cheesecake - smooth cut, looks perfect, crispy crust - BEST Florida Key Lime Pie - very sweet, not enough lime flavor Boston Cream Pie - Cream not set, visually imperfect - BEST
Cheesecake - messy looking, burnt crust Florida Key Lime Pie - beautiful, great flavor, baked perfectly - BEST Boston Cream Pie - lovely ratio, well set cream, too much salt
Best Cakes: Courtney
Because Leslie accidentally used salt in place of sugar in his Boston Cream Pie, Courtney advances, and Leslie is sent home. That's rough! Final Battle: A Winner Is Crowned
Now we get to it, the final two: Courtney and Elizabeth. These two ladies have made it past dozens of challenges, setbacks, and fierce competition. These incredible chefs are about to go head-to-head for a chance to win $250,000, their own cookbook deal, and the title of America's MasterChef.
Elizabeth has won every team challenge she has been in, and she has never had to cook in a pressure test. Courtney has won a lot of Mystery Boxes and is a true series competitor. Their final challenge? The best three-course meal of their lives. One appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert. Results
ElizabethGrilled octopus w/ chickpea + chorizo salad - Looks fantastic, well grilled, slightly overcooked, great flavors Spiced rack of lamb w/ red quinoa + carrot puree - Undercooked, amazing rub, great quinoa, restaurant knock out Grapefruit semolina cake w/ poached plums + ground pistachio - Delicious, great texture, well balanced, smart
Courtney's Dishes:Crispy pig's ear w/ dandelion + fennel salad - Assertive dish, crispy ear, well dressed salad, explosive sauce Sumac duck breast w/ spring vegetables + farro - Visually gorgeous, crispy duck, buttery sauce, elegant Cherry meringue w/ chocolate + almonds - Elevated, not the best presentation, well flavored, intellectual
After waiting what feels like an eternity, and after Elizabeth's husband faints from the pressure (who wouldn't faint when a quarter of a million dollars is on the line) Gordon, Joe, and Graham say those magic words: And the winner of season five, and this year's MasterChef is.........drumroll........ Courtney!
I would say Courtney and Elizabeth have been pretty evenly matched all season. I know a lot of viewers have said that Courtney was a shoe-in (pun intended) from the beginning, but you've got to admit, she is a great chef. If a network were to give her a show, I would watch it.
Thank you for joining me every week to recap and relive our favorite moments on MasterChef. It has been an awesome ride! MasterChef is done for the season, but it will be back next Spring. How do you feel about this season? Did your favorite chef win? What did you think of the challenges this season? Leave me a comment below, I would love to hear your thoughts!
If you missed an episode or want to catch up on any recaps, check out all of EW Community's MasterChef recaps here. MasterChef on Fox.
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