MasterChef Season 9, Episode 9: The Big Not Easy

The Judges Do Battle (1)

Judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez and Joe Bastianich each will have eight aprons to hand out to the home cooks whom they deem worthy – and they then will mentor those contestants throughout the competition.

The Judges Do Battle (2)

The three judges each choose eight home cooks to mentor throughout the competition.

60 min

The Judges Do Battle (3)

Forty-three of America’s finest home cooks compete in the Battle of the Apron challenge, during which they will face off against each other to earn a spot in the Top 24.

Home State Heroes

In the first mystery box challenge of the season, the Top 24 must prep, cook, and plate one dish featuring an ingredient unique to each of their home states.

60 min

Gordon Ramsay Masterclass

In the first skills test of the season, MASTERCHEF host/judge/executive producer Gordon Ramsay teaches the home cooks how to properly break down a crab, before the contestants must replicate his work. The contestants whose skills don't cut it, face an elimination challenge during which Ramsay will show them how to make his signature Crab Benedict dish. It is then up to the judges to decide who stays and who goes home.

Trouble Brewing

The Top 20 venture out of the kitchen and head to the historic Anheuser Busch brewery in Los Angeles for their first team challenge of the season. The two teams must cook a beer-infused lunch for more than 100 employees at the brewery who will each place a vote on his or her favorite dish. The team that receives the least amount of votes will head back to the kitchen for a banana cream pie pressure test that will determine who will be eliminated.

World Cup Dishes

The contestants face a mystery box challenge where they must create a dish using one common ingredient—walnuts. The winner will receive three huge advantages. Later, the kitchen welcomes American soccer legend and Fox Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas, who will introduce a street food-themed elimination challenge that involves popular food among soccer fans in various countries.

A Gordon Ramsay Wedding

The contestants cook for Season 7 winner Shaun O'Neale's wedding.

Rise or Fall

The remaining home cooks pair up for a skills test to create a restaurant-quality dish featuring five ingredients—only to leave one contestant without a pair. The contestant cooking solo gets a huge advantage in the challenge and gets the opportunity to cook alongside his-her mentor.The chefs who fail to impress the judges will face an elimination challenge and create the ever-challenging cheese soufflé in just 40 minutes.

The Kids Are Alright

The Top 14 contestants are split into two teams to compete in a fine dining challenge and are to cook 39 dishes for a group of very discerning judges who have big expectations. Contestants are surprised when diners are revealed and forced to scramble and alter their dishes to accommodate the guests. Ultimately the winning team’s recipe will be printed in Family Circle Magazine. The losing team will compete in a cupcake pressure test with special guest and pastry chef Christina Tosi.

Frying Tonight; Just for the Halibut Part 1

The contestants must make a dish that features a deep-fried element as the judges cook alongside them; the elimination challenge features a citrus-centered dish.

Just for the Halibut

The Top 12 face their third skills test and replicate the proper way to break down a halibut. Those who fail to impress the judges are then tasked with creating a stunning original dish using their broken-down fish. Some contestants yield a bountiful filet, while others offer up a poor portion of protein.

Sky's the Limit

The cooks split into two teams and must serve 100 dishes to airmen in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the March Air Reserve Base.

Tag Team

The contestants learn they will be competing in the Tag Team Challenge.

American Heroes

The remaining home cooks must serve restaurant-quality dishes to 25 California firefighters.

Waste Not Want Not

A mystery box challenge involving food scraps; a mystery box challenge involving fresh ingredients.

Restaurant Takeover

The Top Six face the Restaurant Takeover Challenge at Providence in Los Angeles. The home cooks split into two teams and must feed a dining room filled with 48 guests.

Cooking With Heart

Then, the remaining five receive a heart-warming mystery box challenge in which contestants will create a dish inspired by their loved-one.

Battle of the Beef

The cooks face a series of pressure-filled skills tests using beef; the two weakest contestants go head-to-head.

The Semi Final

The final four split into two teams to cook one entrée for the judges' mentors: chefs Daniel Boulud, Jonathan Waxman and Lidia Bastianich; an elimination leaves three cooks moving on to the finale.

The Finale (1)

The three remaining home cooks must each prepare a three-course menu for the judges.

The Finale (2)

The three remaining home cooks must each prepare a three-course menu for the judges; the home cook with the best overall menu wins the prize and the coveted title of MasterChef.