MasterChef Season 16 is the Global Gauntlet season, meaning the best home cooks from the USA will represent four territories across the globe that reflect their culinary heritage: Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific in hopes of becoming America’s next MasterChef.
The fourth audition night of Season 16 covering the Americas – north, south and central — produced five apron winners out of a field of eight, who needed a yes from all three judges: Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Tiffany Derry for their dishes that represented their culture.
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The winner of MasterChef Season 16 earns the title, the trophy and $250,000.
Get to know MasterChef Season 16’s Americas home cooks:
BrittanyPhoto credit: Geoff George/FOX
Brittany, 34BarbadosPro WrestlerLos Angeles, CA
CamiloPhoto credit: Geoff George/FOX
CamiloLatin AmericanWine & Spirits ExecutiveBastrop, TX
JakePhoto credit: Geoff George/FOX
Jake, 24MexicoPharmacy TechnicianAlma, MI
MariaPhoto credit: Geoff George/FOX
Maria, 48BrazilFood Content CreatorMiami Beach, FL
TkaiyaPhoto credit: Geoff George/FOX
Tkaiya, 23JamaicaMarketing Masters StudentQueens, NYMasterChef airs Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. Streams next day on Hulu.
Next, MasterChef Returns With an International Theme for Season 16 in 2026 — What to Know
This story was originally published by Parade on May 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dining and Cooking