Episode 1 · Day 1 of Auditions
Auditions #1
Auditions #1 is built around signature audition dish.
Day 1 of Auditions
Signature audition dish
Cooks presented a signature audition dish to compete for a place in the MasterChef kitchen.
Complete season guide
MasterChef (US) Season 4
- Episodes
- 25
- Premiere
- May 22, 2013
- Finale
- Sep 11, 2013
- Country
- United States
Complete season breakdown
Every episode and bake
MasterChef US season 4 spans 25 documented competition episodes. This guide follows the actual episode briefs and featured dishes from auditions through the finale.
Episode 2 · Day 2 of Auditions
Auditions #2
Auditions #2 is built around signature audition dish.
Day 2 of Auditions
Signature audition dish
Cooks presented a signature audition dish to compete for a place in the MasterChef kitchen.
Episode 3 · Audition 3
Top 19 Revealed
Top 19 Revealed is built around signature audition dish.
Audition 3
Signature audition dish
Cooks presented a signature audition dish to compete for a place in the MasterChef kitchen.
Episode 4 · Mystery Box Challenge
Top 19 Compete
Top 19 Compete moves from top 19 Compete Mystery Box to top 19 Compete elimination challenge.
Mystery Box Challenge
Top 19 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 19 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Elimination Test
Top 19 Compete elimination challenge
The elimination brief called for top 19 Compete elimination challenge; the weakest result risked leaving the competition.
Episode 5 · Team Challenge
Top 18 Compete
Top 18 Compete moves from top 18 Compete service menu to top 18 Compete pressure test.
Team Challenge
Top 18 Compete service menu
Teams handled top 18 Compete service menu, with the service result deciding who stayed safe.
Pressure Test
Top 18 Compete pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 18 Compete pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation.
Episode 6 · Mystery Box Challenge
Top 17 Compete
Top 17 Compete moves from top 17 Compete Mystery Box to cupcakes dessert.
Mystery Box Challenge
Top 17 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 17 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Elimination Test
Cupcakes dessert
The elimination brief called for cupcakes dessert; the weakest result risked leaving the competition. The source gives the cooks 90 minutes.
Episode 7 · Team Challenge
Top 16 Compete, Part 1
Top 16 Compete, Part 1 moves from top 16 Compete, Part 1 service menu to top 16 Compete, Part 1 pressure test.
Team Challenge
Top 16 Compete, Part 1 service menu
Teams handled top 16 Compete, Part 1 service menu, with the service result deciding who stayed safe.
Pressure Test
Top 16 Compete, Part 1 pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 16 Compete, Part 1 pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation.
Episode 8 · Continued Pressure Test: Las Vegas Round
Top 16 Compete, Part 2
Top 16 Compete, Part 2 moves from top 16 Compete, Part 2 pressure test to top 16 Compete, Part 2 pressure test.
Continued Pressure Test: Las Vegas Round
Top 16 Compete, Part 2 pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 16 Compete, Part 2 pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation.
Pressure Test
Top 16 Compete, Part 2 pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 16 Compete, Part 2 pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation.
Episode 9 · Mystery Box Challenge
Top 15 Compete
Top 15 Compete moves from top 15 Compete Mystery Box to top 15 Compete elimination challenge.
Mystery Box Challenge
Top 15 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 15 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Elimination Test
Top 15 Compete elimination challenge
The elimination brief called for top 15 Compete elimination challenge; the weakest result risked leaving the competition.
Episode 10 · Team Challenge
Top 14 Compete
Top 14 Compete moves from three entrées and sides to top 14 Compete pressure test.
Team Challenge
Three entrées and sides
Teams handled three entrées and sides, with the service result deciding who stayed safe.
Pressure Test
Top 14 Compete pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 14 Compete pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation.
Episode 11 · Mystery Box Challenge
Top 13 Compete
Top 13 Compete moves from top 13 Compete Mystery Box to krissi to make a catfish dish dish.
Mystery Box Challenge
Top 13 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 13 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Elimination Test
Krissi to make a catfish dish dish
The elimination brief called for krissi to make a catfish dish dish; the weakest result risked leaving the competition. The source gives the cooks 60 minutes.
Episode 12 · Team Challenge
Top 12 Compete
Top 12 Compete moves from top 12 Compete service menu to box of twelve perfect macarons.
Team Challenge
Top 12 Compete service menu
Teams handled top 12 Compete service menu, with the service result deciding who stayed safe.
Pressure Test
Box of twelve perfect macarons
The pressure test focused on box of twelve perfect macarons, putting technical control ahead of improvisation.
Episode 13 · Mystery Box Challenge
Top 11 Compete
Top 11 Compete moves from top 11 Compete Mystery Box to top 11 Compete elimination challenge.
Mystery Box Challenge
Top 11 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 11 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Elimination Test
Top 11 Compete elimination challenge
The elimination brief called for top 11 Compete elimination challenge; the weakest result risked leaving the competition. The source gives the cooks 60 minutes.
Episode 14 · Team Challenge
Top 10 Compete
Top 10 Compete moves from top 10 Compete service menu to top 10 Compete pressure test.
Team Challenge
Top 10 Compete service menu
Teams handled top 10 Compete service menu, with the service result deciding who stayed safe.
Pressure Test
Top 10 Compete pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 10 Compete pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation. The source gives the cooks 40 minutes.
Episode 15 · Mystery Box
Top 9 Compete
Top 9 Compete moves from top 9 Compete Mystery Box to mushrooms dish.
Mystery Box
Top 9 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 9 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Elimination Test
Mushrooms dish
The elimination brief called for mushrooms dish; the weakest result risked leaving the competition.
Episode 16 · Team Challenge
Top 8 Compete
Top 8 Compete moves from restaurant quality dish with essential ingredients and no kitchen tools to top 8 Compete pressure test.
Team Challenge
Restaurant quality dish with essential ingredients and no kitchen tools
Teams handled restaurant quality dish with essential ingredients and no kitchen tools, with the service result deciding who stayed safe.
Pressure Test
Top 8 Compete pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 8 Compete pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation.
Episode 17 · Mystery Box
Top 7 Compete
Top 7 Compete moves from top 7 Compete Mystery Box to top 7 Compete service menu.
Mystery Box
Top 7 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 7 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Team Challenge
Top 7 Compete service menu
Teams handled top 7 Compete service menu, with the service result deciding who stayed safe.
Team Challenge
Top 7 Compete service menu
Teams handled top 7 Compete service menu, with the service result deciding who stayed safe.
Episode 18 · Elimination Test #1
Top 6 Compete
Top 6 Compete moves from top 6 Compete elimination challenge to top 6 Compete elimination challenge.
Elimination Test #1
Top 6 Compete elimination challenge
The elimination brief called for top 6 Compete elimination challenge; the weakest result risked leaving the competition.
Elimination Test #2
Top 6 Compete elimination challenge
The elimination brief called for top 6 Compete elimination challenge; the weakest result risked leaving the competition. The source gives the cooks 60 minutes.
Episode 19 · Mystery Box
Top 7 Compete
Top 7 Compete moves from top 7 Compete Mystery Box to elimination test was poultry.
Mystery Box
Top 7 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 7 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate. The source gives the cooks 45 minutes.
Elimination Test
Elimination test was poultry
The elimination brief called for elimination test was poultry; the weakest result risked leaving the competition. The source gives the cooks 60 minutes.
Episode 20 · Team Challenge
Top 6 Compete
Top 6 Compete moves from top 6 Compete service menu to top 6 Compete pressure test.
Team Challenge
Top 6 Compete service menu
Teams handled top 6 Compete service menu, with the service result deciding who stayed safe.
Pressure Test
Top 6 Compete pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 6 Compete pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation. The source gives the cooks 60 minutes.
Episode 21 · Mystery Box
Top 5 Compete, Part 1
Top 5 Compete, Part 1 moves from top 5 Compete, Part 1 Mystery Box to gordon's hủ tiếu dish dish.
Mystery Box
Top 5 Compete, Part 1 Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 5 Compete, Part 1 Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Elimination Test
Gordon's hủ tiếu dish dish
The elimination brief called for gordon's hủ tiếu dish dish; the weakest result risked leaving the competition. The source gives the cooks 75 minutes.
Episode 22 · Pressure Test
Top 5 Compete, Part 2
Top 5 Compete, Part 2 is built around top 5 Compete, Part 2 pressure test.
Pressure Test
Top 5 Compete, Part 2 pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 5 Compete, Part 2 pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation. The source gives the cooks 45 minutes.
Episode 23 · Team Mystery Box challenge
Top 4 Compete
Top 4 Compete moves from top 4 Compete Mystery Box to top 4 Compete pressure test.
Team Mystery Box challenge
Top 4 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 4 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Pressure Test
Top 4 Compete pressure test
The pressure test focused on top 4 Compete pressure test, putting technical control ahead of improvisation. The source gives the cooks 75 minutes.
Episode 24 · Mystery Box challenge
Top 3 Compete
Top 3 Compete moves from top 3 Compete Mystery Box to king crab dish.
Mystery Box challenge
Top 3 Compete Mystery Box
The Mystery Box brief centered on top 3 Compete Mystery Box; contestants had to turn the revealed constraint into an original plate.
Elimination Test
King crab dish
The elimination brief called for king crab dish; the weakest result risked leaving the competition.
Episode 25 · Season Final
Winner Chosen
Winner Chosen moves from three-course finale menu to finale appetizer course.
Season Final
Three-course finale menu
The late-stage cook-off centered on three-course finale menu and determined who advanced or won. The source gives the cooks one hour.
Appetizer
Finale appetizer course
The documented challenge centered on finale appetizer course.
Entree
Finale entree course
The documented challenge centered on finale entree course.
Dessert
Finale dessert course
The documented challenge centered on finale dessert course.
Episode guide sources
Challenge details verified 2026-07-18. en.wikipedia.org.
Season result
The winner stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
Reveal the Season 4 winner
Luca Manfè
Astoria, New York
Full cast
Everyone recorded for Season 4, listed alphabetically without result spoilers.
| Baker | Age | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| Jessie Lysiak | 27 | Social Circle, Georgia |
| Krissi Biasiello | 34 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Luca Manfè | 31 | Astoria, New York |
| Natasha Crnjac | 26 | San Diego, California |