MasterChef: Dynamic Duos winners Jessica and Jesse explain their menu theme for the finale

Jessica Rosenwald and Jesse Bosworth became the first champions of MasterChef: Dynamic Duos. For Season 15, the Boston couple crafted a three-course menu, which they called “a culinary love letter to New England,” reflecting both their roots and their relationship.

Their finale spread, scallops with corn purée and Brussels sprouts, an elevated s’mores dessert, and braised meat with gnocchi, earned them the top prize. They impressed the judges Tiffany Derry, Gordon Ramsay, and Joe Bastianich.

Their win wasn’t exactly what you could call a straight shot. They actually got knocked out in the very first audition, losing to Michelle Lamb and Zach. But a surprise second chance put them back in the mix, and from there they built up steam all season. Now that they’ve got the trophy, they’re cooking up new food projects while tipping their hats to New England, the inspiration behind their finale feast.

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Masterchef: Dynamic Duos winners discuss their menu’s New England theme

Jessica and Jesse said the biggest tests came when their approaches clashed in the kitchen. Jesse moves fast and pushes hard; Jessica focuses on precision and design. Sometimes they needed to pull each other back: Jesse learning to slow down, Jessica learning to trust speed when necessary. They also noted that critique from judges (especially texture or technique feedback) stuck with them and influenced how they cooked in later rounds.

"There were times we butted heads, but you had to learn how to pivot and think on your feet," Jessica explained.

Their path shows how a duo format can spotlight not just cooking, but partnership, storytelling, and personality. Being a “second chance” team gave them resilience, and their background together (as longtime collaborators) helped them bring authenticity. The final menu they developed on MasterChef: Dynamic Duos, which included scallops & pork belly, braised short rib with gnocchi, and a polished s’mores dessert, wasn’t just about taste. It was deeply personal. The dishes reflected the seasons of New England: summer corn, fall apples, cold winters (hence the braising), and campfire memories with dessert. They said the menu was a nod to where they grew up, met, and fell in love.

They also lost the very first audition battle on MasterChef: Dynamic Duos, which is something they discussed. That loss hit hard, but instead of quitting, they used it as fuel. After getting a second chance in-season, they doubled down on communication, focus, and precision.

“It was devastating,” Jessica admitted.

Jesse remembered doubting their place on the stage:

“We thought, who do we think we were even coming on this show?”

That outlook shifted when they were invited back to MasterChef: Dynamic Duos. From that point on, every round became a test of how they balanced each other’s skills and instincts. When it came time to plan a finale menu, Jessica and Jesse agreed it had to reflect their background. They leaned into ingredients and dishes that felt personal.

“We wanted to pay homage to where we grew up, met, and fell in love,” Jessica explained.

The first course drew from late summer and fall, pairing scallops with corn, apples, and Brussels sprouts. The entrée took cues from long winters in Massachusetts with slow-cooked meats and gnocchi. Dessert captured memories of fire pits and marshmallows, but with the polish expected in the MasterChef: Dynamic Duos kitchen.

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What are some challenges they faced along the way?

The MasterChef: Dynamic Duos season’s toughest tests pushed their teamwork. “Follow Gordon,” a challenge that required them to replicate one of Ramsay’s Michelin-rated dishes, stood out as particularly difficult.

One wild round called “Recipe Telephone” made them cook without saying a single word, which meant guessing, trusting, and hoping nothing went up in flames. Jesse likes to charge ahead, while Jessica keeps things steady, and together that mix of speed and calm kept them sharp when the pressure cranked up.

With their win behind them, Jessica and Jesse are already channeling energy into new projects. They plan to perfect South Shore Bar Pie, a Massachusetts specialty, and open an Italian provisions shop featuring homemade sauces and artisanal sandwiches. Together, they also hope to launch their own brand, J Squared Eatz.

For the couple, the MasterChef: Dynamic Duos title is both a personal milestone and a starting point. In the finale, they outperformed Rachel Sanchez & Julio Figueredo and Tina Duong & Aivan Tran to claim the title. What started in their own kitchen has now become an opportunity to share their food with a wider audience.

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MasterChef: Dynamic Duos airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on FOX and streams the next day on Hulu.