Season five of Fox’s cooking competition series MasterChef kicked off on May 26, 2014 with 30 home cooks competing for a spot on the series. With Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and a very slimmed-down Graham Elliott judging their cooking, the best home cooks in America were asked to whip up a dish that defines them in hopes of earning one of the coveted white aprons from the judging panel.
After the heat was turned off and all the entrees were tasted, 22 of the competitors were handed white aprons, earning spots on the show and a chance at the grand prize package.
MasterChef Top Finalists
FRANCIS BIONDI Age: 25
Hometown: Orlando, FL Occupation: Server
Signature Dish: Crusted Halibut Cheeks on Moroccan Chickpea Ragu
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5FrancisB
Twitter: @MC5FrancisB
WHITNEY BRAY Age: 28
Hometown: Columbus, OH Occupation: Call Center Representative
Signature Dish: Braised Pork Belly with Mustard Greens, Banana Mustard and Fingerling Potatoes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Whitney
Twitter: @MC5Whitney
CUTTER BREWER Age: 33
Hometown: Beaumont, TX Occupation: Petroleum Landman
Signature Dish: Venison Backstrap Lollipops with Fruit Chutney or Whiskey Gravy, Potato Salad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Cutter
Twitter: @MC5Cutter
ELIZABETH CAUVEL Age: 31
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Occupation: Advertising Executive
Signature Dish: Peanut Butter Bread Pudding with Mixed Berry Compote
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Elizabeth
Twitter: @MC5Elizabeth
AHRAN CHO Age: 18
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA Occupation: High School Student
Signature Dish: Korean Garlic Soy Fried Chicken
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Ahran
Twitter: @MC5Ahran
LESLIE GILLIAMS Age: 56
Hometown: Malibu, CA Occupation: Stay-At-Home Dad
Signature Dish: Broiled Salmon with Citrus Glaze over Sautéed Spinach
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Leslie
Twitter: @MC5Leslie
CHRISTIAN GREEN Age: 29
Hometown: New Orleans, LA Occupation: Sales Representative
Signature Dish: Macadamia Crusted Chicken, Garlic Mash, with Two Signature Sauces
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Christian
Twitter: @MC5Christian
GORDON HOUSTON Age: 30
Hometown: Irvine, CA Occupation: Law School Graduate
Signature Dish: Sea Urchin Risotto
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Gordon
Twitter: @MC5Gordon
JORDAN KAMINSKI Age: 19
Hometown: Muskego, WI Occupation: College Student
Signature Dish: Seared Scallops with Sautéed Leeks, Crispy Chorizo and Coconut Cilantro Sauce
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Jordan
Twitter: @MC5Jordan
COURTNEY LAPRESI Age: 25
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA Occupation: Aerial Dancer
Signature Dish: Ricotta Gnocchi in a Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Courtney
Twitter: @MC5CourtneyL
ASTRID LAVENIA Age: 41
Hometown: Mandeville, LA Occupation: Food Sales
Signature Dish: Coriander Crusted Shrimp with Duckfat Potato, Smoky Lardons with Jalapeno Emulsion
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Astrid
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MC5Astrid
FRANCIS LEGGE Age: 34
Hometown: New York, NY Occupation: Music Video Director
Signature Dish: Crazy Caprese Salad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5FrancisL
Twitter: @MC5FrancisL
ELISE MAYFIELD Age: 28
Hometown: Birmingham, AL Occupation: e-Learning Administrator
Signature Dish: Blueberry Goat Cheese Hand Pies with Whipped Cream and Almond Brittle
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Elise
Twitter: @MC5Elise
DANIEL McGUFFEY Age: 32
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Occupation: Video Game Designer
Signature Dish: Deerly Beloved (Venison Tartar with Quail Egg and Tempura Okra)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Daniel
Twitter: @MC5Daniel
WILLIE MIKE Age: 25
Hometown: Houston, TX Occupation: Church Music Director
Signature Dish: White Wine Apricot Chicken, Almond Rice Pilaf and Cinnamon Roasted Carrots
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Willie
Twitter: @MC5Willie
KIRA NOVAK Age: 31
Hometown: Youngstown, OH Occupation: Medical Recruiter
Signature Dish: Herbed Goat Cheese Crusted Steak with Roasted Habanero Red Pepper Sauce and garlic Cauliflower Puree
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Kira
Twitter: @MC5Kira
VICTORIA SCROGGINS Age: 35
Hometown: San Angelo, TX Occupation: Bartender
Signature Dish: Roasted Goat Heart with Parsnip, Celeriac and Pickled Beets
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Victoria
Twitter: @MC5Victoria
CHRISTINE SILVERSTEIN Age: 31
Hometown: Yonkers, NY Occupation: Investment Director
Signature Dish: Wild Boar Meatballs with Squash and Chestnut Radicchio Salad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Christine
Twitter: @MC5Christine
STEPHANI SYFAX-SHEPHERD Age: 25
Hometown: Detroit, MI Occupation: Server
Signature Dish: Lobster Polenta with Corne Maque Choux and Rose Beurre Monte Shellfish
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Stephani
Twitter: @MC5Stephani
TYLER VIARS Age: 27
Hometown: Wilmington, OH Occupation: Hunting Sales Manager
Signature Dish: Venison Chimichurri with Fried Potatoes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Tyler
Twitter: @MC5Tyler
JAIMEE VITOLO Age: 23
Hometown: Queens, NY Occupation: Bakery Assistant
Signature Dish: Peanut Butter and Banana Elvis Cream Puffs with Bacon
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Jaimee
Twitter: @MC5Jaimee
DAN WU Age: 39
Hometown: Lexington, KY Occupation: Unemployed
Signature Dish: Home Alone (and All Grown) Ramen with Sriracha Pickled Peaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MC5Dan
Twitter: @MC5Dan
