Who Will Win 'MasterChef' 2023? New Favorite Emerges After Midwest Cook Wins Immunity
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The "MasterChef" Top 20 went head-to-head for the first time in Season 13 on Wednesday night in what is the show's "most strategic season ever,” according to judge Joe Bastianich.
This season's "United Tastes of America" twist has seen contestants from four regions of the United States — Northeast, South, Midwest and West — take on one another over the first four episodes.
After the four regional audition episodes concluded last week with a Top 20 decided, the cooks were given 60 minutes to make a state fair-inspired dish to impress the judges, Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez and Bastianich, on Wednesday night's episode.
Before the cooks got to work in the kitchen, Ramsay told them that whoever cooks the best dish will earn the MasterChef Immunity Pin.
"This means you'll be safe from elimination in the next challenge,” he said. “But here's the kicker: The winner of this pin will also save their entire region from elimination that night."
Bastianich added, "Mark my words. This will be the most strategic season of ‘MasterChef’ ever."
Kyle delighted the rest of the Midwest region cooks — also made up of Charles, Grant, Sarah and Wayne — after he won the Immunity Pin, but West chef Amanda's roasted codfish tacos failed to impress, with Ramsay saying her tacos looked “sad.”
Amanda was eliminated from the contest, and she said afterwards, "I’m really sad to be the first one eliminated. I really saw myself going a lot farther than this. Even though my journey ended early, I still know I can cook. I still know that I have a lot to prove to the world and I’m going to do that."
The Season 13 winner will land a $250,000 prize and the title of "America's MasterChef.”
With these hypothetical odds provided by industry sports betting experts, we've taken a deep dive into which remaining contestants have what it takes to triumph.
Kyle Is New Favorite
Following his exploits in the kitchen on Wednesday night, Kyle is the new favorite to win Season 13 title of “MasterChef.”
The beer sommelier cooked up a beautiful beer-battered lobster fries with fennel slaw and tarragon beer vinaigrette dish, which Bastianich said is "about as good as it gets.”
That is huge praise from the sometime hard-to-please panelist.
Kyle now doesn't have to worry about being eliminated in Episode 6's next challenge after winning the Immunity Pin, and he is the new +250 favorite to win this year's competition.
Another cook who impressed Wednesday night was the sizzling South's Reagan, who made a dish of panéed chicken breast with lemon butter Crab sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and hot sauce.
Like Kyle, Reagan also was in Bastianich's good books, with the panelist praising her dish as "spot on.” while Ramsay commended her "succulent" chicken.
She is now the +300 second favorite to take the title of "America's MasterChef,” from +500 last week, and is narrowly ahead of West cook James.
James was another chef who had the judges wanting more. Gordon admitted he wanted to chow down on more of James' mushroom festival burger with garlic aioli, arugula, wild mushrooms and caramelized onions. Bastianich called it “perfection.”
James is now at +350 to win the season, even with fellow West cook Kennedy, whose price has increased from +300 last week.
Former third favorite Charles is at +400, from +350, following Kyle, Reagan and James' "State Fair Food" episode exploits.
Charles is level in the betting with fellow +400 contestants Purvi and Kolby, while Lizzie is +450.
Kendal's Night To Forget
Former Season 13 favorite Kendal had a night to forget on Wednesday after his roasted chicken kebab with potato croquettes and bacon, wrapped asparagus failed to impress.
While Kendal's dish was chosen as the South's worst dish, he did have some moments to savor as Ramsay said his chicken was cooked well, and Bastianich insisted his efforts were "not terrible.”
However, Kendal is now out to +500 to win the competition, down from +250, and is level with Nina at +500.
Nina wowed the judges with her fried fish sandwich with garlic lemon aioli, potato chips and lemon tahini slaw, with Bastianich even admitting he would even part with money — $24 to be exact — for it.
She has made huge strides in the betting, from +1000, and now sits in front of Sav (+500), Brynn (+550), Ryan (+650) and Jennifer (+750).
Wayne Has Kyle To Thank
Wayne was left breathing a sigh of relief on Wednesday night after he was granted immunity thanks to being part of the Midwest region.
That may well have saved Wayne from elimination after he received some negative comments for his Pumpkin Risotto.
Wayne is now at +750 to win “MasterChef,” from +550, but is ahead of Madame Donut (+800 ) and Grant and Sarah (both +1000).
Like Wayne, Richie also had a tricky episode, with his deconstructed cheesecake with mascarpone crema, Graham Cracker crust, berry compote and candied bacon called "disappointing" by Sanchez.
Bastianich didn't hold back, saying, "This dish would make an excellent ice cream topping. It's not a dish."
Richie has now drifted to +1100 from +700 last week, and is now at the bottom of the betting market.
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