MasterChef (American season 9)
Season 9 of the American competitive reality TV series MasterChef premiered on Fox on May 30, 2018.
Gordon Ramsay and Aarón Sanchez return from last season as judges, while former judge Joe Bastianich returns to the show as the third judge, replacing Christina Tosi. This season introduced a new format to the show, as the three judges each selected eight contestants to give aprons to, and then the judges mentor their respective contestants throughout the competition.
Gerron Hurt was announced the winner, with Ashley Mincey and Cesar Cano as co-runners-up.
Top 24
Except where noted, source for all names, hometowns, and occupations: All ages and nicknames as given on air.| Contestant | Age | Hometown | Occupation | Mentor | Status |
| Gerron Hurt | 25 | Louisville, Kentucky | English Teacher | Joe | Winner September 19 |
| Ashley Mincey | 28 | Opa-Locka, Florida | Professional Grocery Shopper | Gordon | |
| Cesar Cano | 33 | Houston, Texas | High School Teacher | Aarón | |
| Samantha Daily | 20 | West Des Moines, Iowa | College Student | Gordon | |
| Bowen Li | 24 | Tianjin, China | Pilot | Gordon | |
| Farhan Momin | 25 | Chicago, Illinois | Dental Student | Aarón | |
| Julia Danno | 43 | Chicago, Illinois | Sales Manager | Aarón | |
| Shanika Patterson | 34 | Miami, Florida | Event Promoter | Joe | |
| Taylor Waltmon | 30 | Houston, Texas | Sales Training Director | Gordon | |
| Emily Hallock | 28 | Neenah, Wisconsin | Food Research Analyst | Joe | |
| Chelsea Sargent | 28 | Houston, Texas | Sales Specialist | Aarón | |
| Seung Joo "SJ" Yun | 21 | Los Angeles, California | College Student | Gordon | |
| Ralph Xavier Degala | 29 | Houston, Texas | Senior Accountant | Joe | |
| Mark Ingraham | 19 | Rockport, Maine | Dishwasher | Joe | |
| Ryan Cortez | 33 | Houston, Texas | Drummer | Aarón | |
| Lindsay Haigh | 41 | Orange, Massachusetts | Trial Attorney | Aarón | |
| Matthew "Matt" Houck | 28 | Iowa City, Iowa | Optometrist | Joe | |
| Juni Cuevas | 28 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Disability Analyst | Aarón | |
| Alecia Winters | 30 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Daycare Owner | Aarón | |
| Darrick Kraus | 34 | Peoria, Arizona | Engineer | Gordon | |
| Olusola Ogbomo | 29 | Columbia, South Carolina | Bus Driver | Joe | |
| Stephanie Willis | 32 | Cherry Hill, New Jersey | Bartender | Gordon | |
| Sal Maida | 31 | Los Angeles, California | Architect | Joe | |
| Sid Hoeltzell | 63 | Miami, Florida | Food Photographer | Gordon |
Elimination table
Main guest appearances
- Alexi Lalas — Episode 7
- Shaun O'Neale — Episode 8
- Christina Tosi — Episode 11
- Lidia Bastianich - Episode 21
- Daniel Boulud - Episode 21
- Jonathan Waxman - Episode 21
Episodes