MasterChef (American TV series) season 6 explained

Module1:	Judges: Graham Elliot Gordon Ramsay Christina Tosi Num Contestants: 22 Winner: Claudia Sandoval Runner Up: Derrick Peltz
Num Episodes:	20
Network:	Fox

The sixth season of the American competitive reality television series MasterChef premiered on Fox on May 20, 2015 and concluded on September 16, 2015.

Gordon Ramsay and Graham Elliot returned as judges. Joe Bastianich left the show after five seasons and was replaced by Christina Tosi.^{[1] [2]}

The season was won by Claudia Sandoval, with Derrick Peltz becoming the runner-up.^[3]

Top 22

Source for names, hometowns, and occupations.^[4] Ages and nicknames as given on air or stated in cites.

Contestant	Age	Hometown	Occupation	Status
Claudia Sandoval	31	La Mesa, California	Events Manager	Winner September 16
Derrick Peltz	28	Fort Myers, Florida	Drummer	Runner-Up September 16
Stephen Lee	47	Palm Springs, California	Urban Gardener
Nick Nappi	31	San Diego, California	Dishwasher Sales Rep
Katrina Kozar	34	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	Administrative Assistant
Hetal Vasavada	27	Bloomfield, New Jersey	Startup Developer
Tommy Walton	53	Chicago, Illinois	Fashion Designer
Olivia Crouppen	25	Thousand Oaks, California	Fashion Stylist
Shelly Flash	32	Brooklyn, New York	Kitchen Assistant
Christopher Lu	30	Los Angeles, California	Restaurant Manager
Sara Zacek	29	Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin	Mobile Home Park Manager
Kerry Prince	37	Greensboro, North Carolina	Human Resources Rep
Amanda Saab	25	Seattle, Washington	Social Worker
Charlie Chapman	25	New Orleans, Louisiana	HVAC Technician
Jesse Romero	29	Baton Rouge, Louisiana	Petroleum Landman
Veronica Cili	58	Key West, Florida	Beauty Consultant
Ailsa von Dobeneck	27	Norfolk, Virginia	Assistant Railroad Manager
Dan Collado	29	Chicago, Illinois	Engineer and Model
Justin Banister	18	New Caney, Texas	High School Student
Darah Carattini	29	Irvine, California	Amusement Park Guide
Brianna Watson	24	Worcester, Massachusetts	Hairstylist
Mateo McConnell	38	Atlanta, Georgia	High School Teacher

Elimination table

Place	Contestant	Episode
		3		4	5		6	7		8	9		10		11	12	13		14	15		16	17		18	19	20
1	Claudia	IN	IMM	NPT	IN	IN	PT	IN	IN	PT	IN	IMM	HIGH	IN	WIN	WIN	IN	LOW	PT	IN	IN	WIN	WIN	IMM	PT	PT	WINNER
2	Derrick	IN	IN	NPT	IN	IN	PT	WIN	IMM	WIN	LOW	LOW	IN	IN	WIN	NPT	IN	IN	LOW	HIGH	WIN	PT	HIGH	LOW	WIN	WIN
3	Stephen	IN	IN	WIN	IN	WIN	WIN	IN	IN	NPT	IN	IMM	IN	IN	PT	WIN	WIN	IMM	WIN	IN	WIN	WIN	HIGH	HIGH	WIN	ELIM
4	Nick	IN	IMM	WIN	IN	IN	WIN	HIGH	WIN	PT	LOW	PT	IN	IMM	WIN	PT	IN	IN	WIN	WIN	IMM	WIN	IN	WIN	ELIM
5	Katrina	HIGH	IMM	PT	IN	IN	NPT	HIGH	IN	WIN	LOW	LOW	IN	WIN	WIN	WIN	HIGH	IN	WIN	IN	LOW	PT	IN	ELIM
6	Hetal	HIGH	IMM	PT	IN	IN	NPT	IN	LOW	WIN	IN	IMM	HIGH	WIN	PT	WIN	IN	WIN	LOW	HIGH	IN	ELIM
7	Tommy	IN	IMM	LOW	IN	IN	WIN	IN	IN	WIN	IN	IMM	WIN	IMM	WIN	LOW	HIGH	WIN	WIN	IN	ELIM
8	Olivia	IN	LOW	PT	HIGH	IN	WIN	IN	WIN	WIN	LOW	IMM	IN	IN	NPT	PT	IN	IN	ELIM
9	Shelly	IN	IMM	WIN	IN	WIN	NPT	IN	IN	LOW	LOW	IMM	IN	LOW	PT	WIN	IN	ELIM
10	Christopher	IN	WIN	WIN	IN	IN	LOW	IN	IN	WIN	IN	IMM	IN	IN	PT	ELIM
11	Sara	IN	IN	NPT	IN	IN	WIN	IN	IN	PT	IN	IMM	IN	ELIM
12	Kerry	IN	IMM	WIN	IN	IN	WIN	IN	IN	WIN	LOW	ELIM
13	Amanda	IN	IMM	WIN	HIGH	IN	WIN	IN	IN	ELIM
	Charlie	IN	IN	WIN	IN	LOW	WIN	IN	IN	ELIM
15	Jesse	IN	IMM	WIN	WIN	IMM	WIN	IN	ELIM
	Veronica	IN	IN	WIN	IN	LOW	NPT	IN	ELIM
17	Ailsa	IN	IMM	NPT	IN	IN	ELIM
18	Dan	WIN	IMM	NPT	IN	IN	WDR
19	Justin	IN	IMM	WIN	IN	ELIM
20	Darah	IN	IMM	ELIM
21	Brianna	IN	ELIM
	Mateo	IN	ELIM

(WINNER) This cook won the competition.

(RUNNER-UP) This cook finished in second place.

(WIN) The cook won the individual challenge (Mystery Box Challenge or Elimination Test).

(WIN) The cook was on the winning team in the Team Challenge and directly advanced to the next round.

(HIGH) The cook was one of the top entries in the individual challenge but didn't win.

(IN) The cook wasn't selected as a top or bottom entry in an individual challenge.

(IN) The cook wasn't selected as a top or bottom entry in a team challenge.

(IMM) The cook didn't have to compete in that round of the competition and was safe from elimination.

(IMM) The cook was selected by Mystery Box Challenge winner and didn't have to compete in the Elimination Test.

(PT) The cook was on the losing team in the Team Challenge, competed in the Pressure Test, and advanced.

(NPT) The cook was on the losing team in the Team Challenge, did not compete in the Pressure Test, and advanced.

(LOW) The cook was one of the bottom entries in an individual challenge or Pressure Test, and advanced.

(LOW) The cook was one of the bottom entries in the Team Challenge, and advanced.

(WDR) The cook withdrew from the competition.

(ELIM) The cook was eliminated from MasterChef.

Guest appearances

• Leslie Gilliams - Episode 8
• Daniel McGuffey - Episode 8
• Ahran Cho - Episode 8
• Becky Reams - Episode 8
• Felix Fang - Episode 8
• Christine Ha - Episode 17
• Luca Manfé - Episode 17
• Courtney Lapresi - Episode 17

Ratings

U.S. Nielsen ratings

No.	Episode	Original air date	Rating/share 18–49	U.S. viewers (million)	Rank (Timeslot)	Rank (Nightly)	Rank (Weekly)	Source(s)
1	"Let the Battle Commence" (Top 40)	May 20, 2015	1.2/4	3.39	3	8	<25	^[5] ^[6]
2	"The Battle Continues" (Top 40)
3	"You're the Apple of My Eye" (Top 22)	May 27, 2015	1.6/6	4.72	1	1	5	^[7] ^[8]
4	"Cinnamon Roll-er Coaster" (Top 20)	June 3, 2015	1.5/6	4.70	2	2	12	^[9] ^[10]
5	"Clawing to Victory" (Top 19)	June 10, 2015	1.5/6	4.83	1	1	13	^[11] ^[12]
6	"What Happens in Vegas Steaks in Vegas" (Top 18)	June 17, 2015	1.5/6	4.83	1	1	10	^[13]
7	"Bring Home the Bacon" (Top 16)	June 24, 2015	1.5/6	4.73	2	2	9	^[14] ^[15]
8	"Happy Birthday MASTERCHEF" (Top 14)	July 1, 2015	1.4/6	4.40	2	2	11	^[16] ^[17]
9	"Gordon's Greatest Hits" (Top 12)	July 8, 2015	1.7/6	4.93	2	2	8	^[18] ^[19]
10	"Rice Rice Baby" (Top 11)	July 15, 2015	1.5/6	4.86	3	3	11	^[20] ^[21]
11	"Moo-vers and Bakers" (Top 10)	July 22, 2015	1.5/6	4.44	2	3	10	^[22] ^[23]
12	"Family Reunion" (Top 10)	July 29, 2015	1.5/6	4.73	3	3 (tie)	UNKNOWN	^[24]
13	"A Little Southern Flare" (Top 9)	August 5, 2015	1.5/6	4.94	2 (tie)	2 (tie)	10	^[25] ^[26]
14	"Getting A-Head in the Competition" (Top 8)	August 12, 2015	1.4/6	4.76	3	3	10	^[27] ^[28]
15	"A Storm's a Brewing" (Top 7)	August 19, 2015	1.4/5	4.66	3	3	10	^[29] ^[30]
16	"The Restaurant Takeover" (Top 6)	August 26, 2015	1.4/5	4.61	3	3	TBD	^[31]
17	"Return of the Champions" (Top 5)	September 2, 2015	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
18	"Think Inside the Box" (Top 4)	September 9, 2015	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
19	"Team Gordon Ramsay" (Top 3)	September 16, 2015	Rowspan=2	1.5/5	4.65	2	3	TBD
20	"The Finale" (Top 2)

Notes and References

1. Web site: 'MasterChef' Judge Joe Bastianich to Exit. The Hollywood Reporter. Goldberg, Lesley. November 26, 2014. April 30, 2015. March 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150324210310/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/masterchef-judge-joe-bastianich-exit-752570. live.
2. Web site: Christina Tosi Joins MasterChef and MasterChef Junior's Judging Panel. Eater Magazine. DeJesus, Erin. January 13, 2015. April 30, 2015. April 30, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150430050810/http://www.eater.com/2015/1/13/7538431/christina-tosi-joins-masterchef-and-masterchef-juniors-judging-panel. live.
3. Web site: MasterChef Season 6 Comes to an End: Find Out Who Won- Claudia, Derrick or Stephen!. E! Online. September 16, 2015. September 16, 2015.
4. Web site: Weigle . Lauren . 'Masterchef' 2015 Cast: Meet the Season 6 Contestants . . April 13, 2020 . May 20, 2015 . October 29, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161029191055/http://heavy.com/entertainment/2015/05/masterchef-cast-contestants-2015-season-6-cooks-chefs-new-judges/ . live .
5. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Survivor', 'Survivor: Reunion' & 'Modern Family' Adjusted Up. Kondolojy. Amanda. TV by the Numbers. May 21, 2015. May 21, 2015. May 25, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150525020605/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/21/wednesday-final-ratings-survivor-survivor-reunion-modern-family-adjusted-up/406776/. dead.
6. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'The Voice' Tops Adults 18-49 & 'Dancing With The Stars' Tops Total Viewers for the Week Ending May 24, 2015. 2015-05-27. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. July 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170701055341/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-the-voice-tops-adults-18-49-dancing-with-the-stars-tops-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-may-24-2015/. dead.
7. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'MasterChef' & 'The Briefcase' Adjusted Up. 2015-05-28. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13.
8. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'America's Got Talent' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending May 31, 2015. 2015-06-02. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. April 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402195034/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-americas-got-talent-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-may-31-2015/. dead.
9. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'MasterChef' & Stanley Cup Game 1 Adjusted Up. 2015-06-04. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13.
10. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: NBA Finals Game 2 Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending June 7, 2015. 2015-06-09. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. April 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402175613/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nba-finals-game-2-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-june-7-2015/. dead.
11. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'The Briefcase' & 'Celebrity Wife Swap' Adjusted Up. 2015-06-11. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13.
12. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: NBA Finals Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending June 14, 2015. 2015-06-16. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. May 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502000451/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nba-finals-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-june-14-2015/. dead.
13. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: NBA Finals Game 6 Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending June 21, 2015. 2015-06-23. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. May 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502000458/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nba-finals-game-6-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-june-21-2015/. dead.
14. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings. 2015-06-25. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2018-11-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20181120154737/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/wednesday-final-ratings-big-brother-bullseye-adjusted-down/. dead.
15. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'America's Got Talent' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending June 28, 2015. 2015-06-30. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. April 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402221257/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-americas-got-talent-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-june-28-2015/. dead.
16. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Big Brother' Adjusted Up + No Adjustment for 'Extant', 'MasterChef' or 'Bullseye'. 2015-07-02. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2017-07-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729001724/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/wednesday-final-ratings-big-brother-adjusted-up-no-adjustment-for-extant-masterchef-or-bullseye/. dead.
17. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: FIFA Women's World Cup Championship Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending July 5, 2015. 2015-07-08. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. March 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170326044923/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-fifa-womens-world-cup-championship-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-july-5-2015/. dead.
18. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Big Brother' Adjusted Up + No Adjustment for 'Extant' or 'MasterChef'. 2015-07-09. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2018-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121001700/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/wednesday-final-ratings-big-brother-adjusted-up-no-adjustment-for-extant-or-masterchef/. dead.
19. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'America's Got Talent' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending July 12, 2015. 2015-07-14. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. April 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402182347/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-americas-got-talent-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-july-12-2015/. dead.
20. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Big Brother' & 'MasterChef' Adjusted Up + No Adjustment for ESPYs or 'Extant'. 2015-07-16. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2017-07-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20170716151110/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/wednesday-final-ratings-big-brother-masterchef-adjusted-up-no-adjustment-for-espys-or-extant/. dead.
21. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: MLB All-Star Game Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending July 19, 2015. 2015-07-21. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. January 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170109210237/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-mlb-all-star-game-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-july-19-2015/. dead.
22. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Master Chef' Adjusted Up. 2015-07-23. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2018-10-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20181031133119/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/wednesday-final-ratings-master-chef-adjusted-up/. dead.
23. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'America's Got Talent' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending July 26, 2015. 2015-07-28. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. October 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027211948/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-americas-got-talent-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-july-26-2015/. dead.
24. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Last Comic Standing' and 'Extant' Adjusted Up. 2015-07-30. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2016-10-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20161028021042/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/wednesday-final-ratings-last-comic-standing-and-extant-adjusted-up/. dead.
25. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Big Brother', 'MasterChef', 'America's Got Talent' & 'Last Comic Standing' Adjusted Up. 2015-08-06. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2017-07-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20170709090108/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/wednesday-final-ratings-big-brother-masterchef-americas-got-talent-last-comic-standing-adjusted-up/. dead.
26. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: NFL Preseason Football Tops Adults 18-49 & With Total Viewers for the Week Ending August 9, 2015. 2015-08-11. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. April 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402194724/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nfl-preseason-football-tops-adults-18-49-with-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-august-9-2015/. dead.
27. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Big Brother' Adjusted Up; 'America's Next Top Model' Adjusted Down. 2015-08-13. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2017-07-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20170709082331/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/wednesday-final-ratings-big-brother-adjusted-up-americas-next-top-model-adjusted-down/. dead.
28. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: NFL Preseason Football Tops Adults 18-49 & With Total Viewers for the Week Ending August 16, 2015. 2015-08-18. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. May 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502000502/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-nfl-preseason-football-tops-adults-18-49-with-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-august-16-2015/. dead.
29. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'MasterChef' Adjusted Up. 2015-08-20. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2018-11-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20181116135025/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/sdsdskdh279882992z1/wednesday-final-ratings-masterchef-adjusted-up/. dead.
30. Web site: TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'America's Got Talent' Tops Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers for the Week Ending August 23, 2015. 2015-08-25. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. December 8, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161208231728/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/nielsen-weekly-top-broadcast-tv-show-ratings/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-americas-got-talent-tops-adults-18-49-total-viewers-for-the-week-ending-august-23-2015/. dead.
31. Web site: Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Big Brother' Adjusted Up; 'Celebrity Wife Swap' Adjusted Down. 2015-08-27. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-13. 2017-07-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20170701120449/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/1/wednesday-final-ratings-big-brother-adjusted-up-celebrity-wife-swap-adjusted-down/. dead.