MasterChef - Season 3

Season 3 of the American competitive reality television series MasterChef had a two-night premiere on Fox on June 4 and 5, 2012. By the third episode, which aired on June 11, 2012, the judges had tasted all 100 dishes and given white MasterChef aprons to 36 contestants. In the same episode, the judges cut that number down to 18 contestants. The season concluded on September 10, 2012 with the first blind contestant Christine Ha winning the MasterChef title.

20 Episodes

Auditions (1)

Season 3 - Episode 1

After a nationwide search, only the best amateur cooks – including a stock broker, a professional opera singer, a plastic surgeon, as well a...

Auditions (2)

Season 3 - Episode 2

The auditions continue as the judges critique the good and the bad and continue to winnow down the competition. Those who impress the judges...

Auditions (3) and Top 36 Bootcamp

Season 3 - Episode 3

The final round of auditions is held in Los Angeles. Then, the 36 remaining hopefuls compete in a ground-beef challenge in hopes of earning ...

Top 18 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 4

The Top 18 must create gourmet dishes using duck and bananas. Later, they're challenged to cook with unusual and intimidating ingredients.

Top 16 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 5

Culinary boot camp awaits the 16 remaining hopefuls at California's Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, where they'll work in teams to prepare...

Top 15 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 6

Fifteen hopefuls remain, and they're tasked with creating unique dishes using unconventional—and unappetizing—cuts of meat in a challenge th...

Top 14 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 7

The judges split the cooks into teams to prepare breakfast for hotel guests; the members of the losing team must prove they deserve to stay ...

Top 13 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 8

A budget-friendly mystery-box challenge requires the wannabe chefs to create a gourmet meal using only $20 worth of ingredients. Later, anot...

Top 12 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 9

The 12 remaining hopefuls are split into three teams for a food-truck challenge that requires them to create budget-friendly meals for beach...

Top 11 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 10

Judge Graham Elliot joins the amateur cooks in the kitchen, taking part in a mystery-box challenge. Later, a double elimination sends two ho...

Top Nine Compete

Season 3 - Episode 11

The amateur chefs must cook with exotic ingredients from the sea

Top 8 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 12

The amateur chefs are taken to a Southern California rodeo, where they'll work in teams to feed a hearty meal to 101 hungry cowboys. Members...

Top 7 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 13

Paula Deen is a guest judge for a Southern-inspired mystery-box challenge. Later, the hopefuls are paired up to cook a complicated Japanese ...

Top 6 Compete, Pt. 1

Season 3 - Episode 14

Part 1 of 3. Eight previously eliminated contestants return and compete for a chance to win back their aprons and continue on in the competi...

Top 6 Compete, Pt. 2

Season 3 - Episode 15

Part 2 of 3. The seven remaining hopefuls find shrimp in the mystery basket, and must make standout dishes with a very limited pantry. The w...

Top 6 Compete, Pt. 3

Season 3 - Episode 16

Conclusion. The six remaining hopefuls compete in a team challenge at Hatfield's, a Hollywood hot spot, where they attempt to replicate the ...

Top 5 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 17

A game-changing twist surprises the five remaining hopefuls during a mystery-box challenge. Later, the wannabe chefs are tasked with re-crea...

Top 4 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 18

Four hopefuls remain, and they must work in teams of two to prepare a gourmet meal for three world-renowned chefs: Daniel Boulud, Alain Duca...

Top 3 Compete

Season 3 - Episode 19

Part 1 of 2. Season 3 finale: The three remaining hopefuls are tasked with creating a dish that best embodies their personality and passion ...

Winner Chosen

Season 3 - Episode 20

In their final challenge in the kitchen, the two home cooks will conceptualize and prepare the most important three-course meal of their liv...