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Season 15 of MasterChef is shaping up to be a true test of teamwork, skill, and a dash of patience under pressure. This year’s twist, MasterChef: Dynamic Duos, has home cooks entering the kitchen not as individuals, but in pairs. Whether they’re married, best friends, or even ex MasterChef Junior contestants, each duo is fighting side-by-side for the white apron, the title, and a $250,000 grand prize.
With ten pairs battling it out in episode two, viewers got a front-row seat to the culinary highs and lows of the audition rounds. The judges were Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and newcomer Tiffany Derry. Each battle brought flavor, finesse, and the occasional flub. “The Audition Battles Continue” was all about standing out, working together, and of course, impressing three very tough critics.
Let’s dive into how each team fared on their MasterChef journey.
Battle 1: Fire, finesse, and fungi kick off the MasterChef audition rounds
In the first battle of the night, animal ER nurses Darce and Courtney took on former MasterChef Junior contestants Kayla and Ryan Kate. Darce and Courtney went the vegan route, plating a Lomo Saltado with Lion’s Mane Mushrooms and Aji Amarillo Paste. Gordon called it “delicious” and appreciated the dish’s “warmth” and “rustic charm.” Joe admired that it was “unapologetically vegan,” though Tiffany wanted a bit more seasoning.
Kayla and Ryan Kate served up a pan-seared sea bass with lemon, garlic spinach, and beurre blanc. Gordon complimented the fish but knocked the soggy tomatoes. Tiffany liked the “light spinach” and buttery sauce, while Joe praised the crunchy breadcrumbs.
In the end, Kayla and Ryan Kate snagged the white aprons, proving their MasterChef Junior days paid off.
Battle 2: Burgers meet filet in a faceoff
Next up: Firefighters Javi and Luis went head-to-head with their best friends, Kevin and Trey.
Javi and Luis brought heat with a chipotle turkey burger, bacon jam, and a Caesar salad. Gordon declared the burger “delicious,” and Joe went a step further, calling it “the best turkey burger he’s ever had.” Tiffany was into the chorizo, but the salad’s plating didn’t quite work; Joe, in particular, didn’t love the “rusty knot” still attached to the lettuce.
Meanwhile, Kevin and Trey plated a filet mignon with mashed potatoes and brandy peppercorn sauce. Gordon said it “looks good” and praised the cook on the steak, although the sauce was “over-reduced.” Tiffany enjoyed the “well-seasoned” carrots, and Joe thought the entire dish was “spot on.”
Despite the standout burger, Kevin and Trey walked away with the aprons.
Battle 3: Bison and scallops battle for apron glory
The glam-grandmas, Milah and Lisa, brought style and seafood with Carolina sea scallops, hearts of palm, and candied plums. Tiffany called the dish “modern and hip,” and Gordon gave props to the scallop cook. However, there was too much “sweet” and not enough acid to balance things out.
Their opponents, mother-daughter duo Tonna and Cait, went bold with a bison steak, sweet potato puree, and a red wine mushroom sauce. Gordon called it “very South Dakota,” while Tiffany shouted,
“That bison is niiice!”
The only criticism? Grainy mashed potatoes. Tonna and Cait earned their white aprons.
Battle 4: Shrimp vs. chicken in the married couples matchup
In the fourth battle, married teams Rachel and Julio and Spencer and McKenna squared off. Rachel and Julio plated Gambas Al Ajillo with creamy polenta and parmesan crisps. Gordon loved the shrimp but found the polenta overly rich; he “probably couldn’t eat more than two bites.”
Spencer and McKenna leaned into comfort with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and herb gravy. Gordon liked the color on the chicken, and Tiffany praised the meat’s “juiciness.” However, the gravy fell flat in flavor.
Rachel and Julio were declared the winners.
Battle 5: Anchovies, ambition, and okra close out the auditions
The night’s final round saw sibling duo Ricky and Ashley against brothers Adam and Joel. Ricky and Ashley served a seafood Fra Diavolo with tagliatelle and anchovy breadcrumbs. While Tiffany said the plating was sloppy and the dish needed more sauce, Gordon thought the pasta was “delicious,” and Joe called the dish “as good as 90 percent of the restaurants in New Jersey.” He even disagreed with the others, insisting it didn’t need extra sauce.
Adam and Joel went classic comfort with stuffed chicken thighs, green bean casserole, and fried okra. Gordon said the chicken was “exceptional,” though the okra needed to be a “touch” crispier. Tiffany, on the other hand, loved the okra and called it “well-seasoned.” Joe admitted he was “a lifelong okraphobic” but appreciated the dish’s ambition.
Ricky and Ashley walked away with the aprons.
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With five pairs claiming white aprons, you might think the others were headed home for good. Not so fast. Next week, the eight eliminated duos make a surprise return for a second shot at glory. Only four more white aprons remain, and the competition is only getting fiercer.
So far, MasterChef season 15 has delivered high-stakes cooking, sharp critiques, and a focus on relationships just as much as recipes. Whether it’s bison, burgers, or beurre blanc, teamwork is proving to be the secret ingredient.
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