Who Will Win 'MasterChef' 2023? South Sizzles As Regional Auditions End
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The final five spots in this season's "MasterChef" Top 20 have now been confirmed after the Regional Auditions concluded with the sizzling South.
Tiffany Derry joined Wednesday night's episode as a guest panelist, alongside regular judges Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Aaron Sanchez.
And there is a new Season 13 favorite in town after one star from the South received praise from Bastianich for his sumptuous steak.
Before the wannabes showed what they could do, Ramsay told the audience: "The region that'll be cooking tonight is a culinary gold mine. Every dish is cooked with love.
"Whether it's grits and greens, catfish and cornbread, or low and slow barbecue."
This season, "MasterChef" has featured a "United Tastes of America" twist, in which contestants from four regions of the United States - Northeast, West, Midwest and South - aim to impress the panelists.
The cooks are given 45 minutes to make their signature dishes, and require at least three yeses from the judges to be handed one of the coveted white aprons and progress to the next round.
All four regions have now tried out, and next Wednesday will be the State Fair Food episode, as the Top 20 take part in a competitive team challenge.
While this week a steak came out on top, next week will see the stakes raised even further - as the cook who impresses the most will grant their whole region immunity, including themselves.
The season 13 winner will land a $250,000 prize and the title of "America's MasterChef", and 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.
Kendal Wows Judges
Kendal is the new +250 favorite to win this year's "MasterChef," with a 28.6% implied probability after the trucking company owner and BBQ grand champion impressed with his steak.
He cooked up a Filet Mignon with Crawfish Cream Sauce and Creamy Mashed Potatoes, and claimed it would be the best steak the judges will ever have.
There was some interruption to his audition when Ramsay dropped Kendal's BBQ Championship ring into the stove and after fishing it out, slipped into Kendal's cream sauce.
As the contestant's steak was cut open, the judges were left in awe at the interior coloring.
Derry said: "Well, all righty then," before admitting the steak was "visually a little brown" on the outside.
But upon setting eyes on the inside of the filet, Bastianich was wowed, confessing: "I have nothing to say."
He then proclaimed it was one of the best steaks ever cooked throughout the show's 13 seasons, which is some praise.
All four judges gave Kendal a yes, and he is now ahead of West cook Kennedy, who remains +300, after impressing in Episode 3.
Charles is still the +350 joint third favorite, alongside episode 1's Purvi, whose vanilla bundt cakes also earned her four yeses from the judges.
Kolby's Papa Helps Him Win White Apron
Kolby is the new +400 fourth favorite to win Season 13 after he also received a "wow" from Bastianich for his Crawfish Étouffée with Parmesan Garlic Bread.
The entrepreneur took his grandpa along to the audition and explained his Papa had taught him to cook.
Ramsay was also impressed with his dish and gave a portion to Kolby's grandfather, who said: "This is damn good. I’m so proud of him."
Kolby clinched a white apron and is now just ahead of Episode 3 cook Lizzie in the betting after her price to win this season's contest drifted to +450 from +400.
Sav was another South contestant who excited the judges, with her Fried Chicken with Pickled Green Tomatoes, Purple Sweet Potato Mash and Stacked Coleslaw.
Sanchez described Sav's chicken as "juicy," and she joked: "I tried to bring one of my chickens on the plane with me, but they wouldn't allow that."
Ramsay was full of praise for the "unique" star, who is now +500 to win the contest.
Check out the latest odds to win America's Got Talent!
Reagan's 'Big Yes' From Ramsay
Sav is the same price as fellow South cook Reagan, who received a "big yes" from Ramsay for her Jerk Shrimp with Roasted Corn and Red Peppers.
Reagan received four yeses from the panelists, and is ahead of Northeast cook Brynn and Midwest wannabe Wayne, after both cooks' prices drifted out to +550 from +450.
Several other contestants have also been subject to odds increases after the South's stars impressed in episode 4.
Last week, James was a +500 fifth favorite after his Glorious Gloria crab cakes with tartar sauce and sauteed squash went down well with the panelists.
But he is now out to +600 to win the series, ahead of +650 chance Ryan.
Elsewhere, Midwest candidate Kyle is +700, from +600, the same price as Richie, who did just enough to impress the judges with his Crispy Skin Salmon with Sweet Habanero Glaze, Spinach and Parmesan Roasted Potatoes in Episode 1, despite Ramsay calling his spinach "watery."
How much have this week's Master Chef odds changed from last week?
Jennifer Through Despite Ramsay's Rejection
Episode 4 contestant Jennifer was also on the receiving end of some negative comments from the judges for her Apple Blossom Tart with Maple Cream Anglaise, Spicy Cranberry Compote and Caramel Sauce.
Bastianich described the dessert as "sloppy" but loved the flavor, while Ramsay gave a no after saying it looked like "a mess."
Jennifer tried to explain she had a timing issue, but the no-nonsense Ramsay fired back: "I don’t need a bedtime story."
Despite Ramsay's rejection, he told her she could try again next year.
But there is no need, because Derry and Sanchez both delivered yes verdicts to grant the lifestyle blogger a Season 13 white apron.
She is +750 to win this year's "MasterChef", ahead of Hawaii native Madame Donut, who is out to +800, from +700.
Amanda received a rejection from Sanchez in Episode 3, but she managed to progress.
She is now +850 to triumph, ahead of +1000 chance Nina, whose dish was "amateur," according to Bastianich in Episode 1.
Grant, who landed an apron despite some issues with his Roasted Corn Agnolotti, is also +1000, while Midwest contestant Sarah is at the foot of the market at +1200, and has work to do in next week's State Fair Food episode.
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