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Meet The MasterChef Competitors

  • Food And Drink, TV
  • May 12, 2026,
  • Photo Credits: FOX

Twenty standout home cooks from the audition rounds, five per region, face off in a World Cup-inspired challenge to create elevated versions of classic stadium foods infused with their own cultural flair.

With the first immunity pin of the season on the line, protecting both the winning home cook and their region, the kitchen erupts into chaos and panic.

One competitor ultimately faces elimination in the all-new “Game Day Gourmet” episode of MasterChef airing Wednesday, May 13 (8:00-9:02 PM ET/PT) on FOX. 

TEAM EUROPE

  • Nico Cosereanu — Representing Italy | Millburn, NJ | @anthro.pt
  • Aghata Sunsi — Representing Spain | Westminster, CO | @aghatasunsi
  • Basia Newman — Representing Poland | Asbury Park, NJ | @jerseystyle
  • Ted Pappas — Representing Greece | Chicago, IL | @teds_everyday_eats
  • Julia Cili — Representing Italy | Miami, FL | @juliacili

TEAM ASIA-PACIFIC

  • Foo Nguyen — Representing Vietnam | Irvine, CA | @comfortfoodee
  • Aishu Challa — Representing India | Georgetown, MA | @aish_aishbaby
  • Daniel Meng — Representing China | Duluth, GA | @mengseats
  • Shompa Kabir-Furqan — Representing Bangladesh | Brooklyn, NY | @shompsz
  • Jaime Tan — Representing Malaysia | Los Angeles, CA | @igumdrop

TEAM AFRICA

  • Peter Egede — Representing Nigeria | Dallas, TX | @peats_culinary
  • Nora Chakri — Representing Morocco | Las Vegas, NV | @alchemizingnora
  • Dave Patera — Representing Morocco | Chicago, IL | @dinnerswithdave
  • Rita Igbinoba — Representing Nigeria | Brooklyn, NY | @rita_food_wonderland
  • Heidi Muston — Representing South Africa | Plantation, FL | @heidismitty

TEAM AMERICAS

  • Camilo Chavez III — Representing Mexico | Bastrop, TX | @golfwineguy
  • Tkaiya Dryden — Representing Jamaica | Jamaica Queens, NY | @tkaiyadana
  • Jake Kelley — Representing Mexico | Mount Pleasant, MI | @jake.kelley
  • Britny Underwood — Representing Barbados | North Hollywood, CA | @britny7
  • Maria Bourland — Representing Brazil | Miami Beach, FL | @flavorsofmyroots

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