Thirty-six home cooks arrive with the intent of being placed in the Top 20, but the contestants must pass the audition rounds and impress the judges to earn the coveted apron; the contestants hope to earn a valuable "Judges' Pass."

Only eight aprons are left for the hopeful home cooks to earn so they can pass through the audition rounds, where they have less than 45 minutes to prepare their signature dish and leave the judges wanting for more before the Top 20 are chosen.

The Top 20 must quickly demonstrate their culinary expertise before they encounter their first mystery box challenge, where they must create a Ramsay-inspired dish, but only 18 home cooks can progress further in the competition.

In two teams of nine cooks, the Top 18 prepare for a 10th anniversary-themed pool party by preparing food for 100 important guests that include former "MasterChef" winners and contestants, but only one team can earn immunity.

The team who failed to impress the pool party guests are given only 45 minutes to completely break down a chicken and prepare it into a delectable dish, but one contestant will be forced to surrender their apron after the timer runs out.

The remaining home cooks face another elimination challenge in which they have 60 minutes to closely replicate the dish du jour, tarte Tatin that must be prepared with silky crème anglaise sauce, or risk surrendering their apron and going home.

The top 16 cooks fight for immunity in a challenge to create an authentic three-course Italian meal.

With two eliminations on the line, the pressure is on for the losing team in the tag-team challenge.

The home cooks split into two teams to prepare 45 meals for Gerron Hurt's wedding.

The cooks have 60 minutes to present their best beef dish to the judges.

The top 13 must break down Alaskan king crabs; the contestants cook for chef Masaharu Morimoto.

Contestants must create a sweet dish and a savory dish from a surprise ingredient; an elimination.

In under 75 minutes, the contestants must replicate a cake for the judges.

Special guest judge Candace Nelson gives the home cooks 75 minutes to create one dozen macarons.

The top 10 contestants test their speed in a special team challenge at the Irwindale Speedway, where they have 75 minutes to cook for 101 race car crew members.

The contestants face a mystery box challenge with more mystery ingredients than ever before.

The cooks are introduced to Grant Achatz, who shows the them the art of unconventional plating.

The cooks produce a dish with their own version of homemade sausage in less than an hour.

TV host Daphne Oz reveals the contents of the week's mystery box challenge to the top eight, leaving the contestants 60 minutes to create an elevated one-pan dish using the cast iron pan.

Loved ones of the top seven watch the contestants make their favorite family-inspired dishes.

The top six chefs travel to London and must feed 36 diners; two chefs face elimination.

The top four chefs travel to the historic Hatfield House, where they must cook a venison dish.

Returning from their home towns after a whirlwind trip across the pond, the Top Three home cooks are ready to tackle their final dishes in hopes of crossing the finish line and coming out on top!

The finalists must execute a superior three-course meal for the judges. Only one will win the title of MASTERCHEF, an opportunity to learn hands-on in each of the judges’ restaurants and the $250,000 grand prize.