Underrated MasterChef Contestants Who Were Eliminated Too Early

There have been hundreds of home cooks who have competed on MasterChef, but while some competitors overstayed their welcomes, others were sent home too early. The American version of MasterChef has retained a strong fan base since the series kicked off in 2010, and over the past twelve years, 20 home cooks have won the hefty $250,000 grand prize between MasterChef and its spin-off, MasterChef Junior. Known for its consistency and generally-wholesome content, MasterChef has been judged by co-creator and Hell’s Kitchen host Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, Joe Bastianich, Christina Tosi, and Aarón Sanchez. Several world-renowned chefs have also appeared on MasterChef, such as Wolfgang Puck and Masaharu Morimoto.

Although Hell’s Kitchen and other popular cooking competitions feature contestants with extensive culinary backgrounds, MasterChef is special in that its cast members are regular people with ordinary professions. Naturally, this means that while many MasterChef contestants have excelled at difficult individual and team challenges, others have quickly buckled under the pressure or failed to deliver dishes that impressed the judges. While some home cooks went further in their respective competitions than they should’ve, others were sent home after just one mistake, despite their impressive resume. With MasterChef season 13 already announced and predicted to return sometime next year, here are some former underrated MasterChef contestants who deserved a second chance.

Related: MasterChef: Contestants With The Most Successful Post-Show Careers

Bime Cruz From MasterChef Season 4

Bime Cruz was a 35-year-old boxing coach when he auditioned for MasterChef season 4, and had a series of strong performances until his untimely elimination. Although Bime was disliked by several of his MasterChef competitors like Krissi Biasello and Natasha Crnjac, Bime had a relatively calm demeanor and was praised for how he took responsibility for his actions and mistakes, such as when he put cream of tartar instead of corn starch in a pie. Before he was sent home from MasterChef season 4 in 14th place, Bime won one team challenge, one individual challenge, gained immunity, and was also featured in the top three twice. If Bime didn’t accidentally swap ingredients in his pie, which led to his elimination, he could’ve gone a lot farther in the competition.

Victoria Scroggins From MasterChef Season 5

Victoria was a 35-year-old bartender when she won her white apron on MasterChef season 5. While several home cooks like Leslie Gilliams and Courtney Lapresi were disliked by MasterChef viewers and fellow competitors alike, Victoria got along with the other home cooks personally and during team challenges. Although Victoria didn’t particularly stand out among other contestants like Willie “Big Willie” Mike and Jaimee Vitolo, Victoria maintained a strong performance throughout the season; by the time Victoria was eliminated from MasterChef season 5 in 10th place, she had won four team challenges, scored in the top three twice, and scored immunity. Victoria was stacked against a lot of strong competition on MasterChef season 5, and if she competed with another group of home cooks, there’s a good chance Victoria would’ve gone farther.

Amanda Saab From MasterChef Season 6

Amanda Saab was a 25-year-old social worker when she appeared on MasterChef season 6, and arguably had one of the most emotional eliminations in MasterChef history. While most of her competitors were better savory cooks, Amanda excelled as a baker and wowed the judges when she auditioned with a beautiful olive oil cake. Amanda was in the top three once and won two team challenges before her time was sadly cut short. Despite her solid performances, Amanda brought her competitors, and almost the judges, to tears when a raw cake sent her home from MasterChef season 6 in 13th place. Luckily, Amanda was able to redeem herself when she returned for MasterChef season 12.

Andrea Galan From MasterChef Season 7

Andrea Galan was a college student when she competed on MasterChef season 7, but despite being just 21-years-old, Andrea quickly proved to be someone her fellow home cooks should watch out for. Andrea won the first individual challenge of the season as well as two team challenges, but despite her strong skills, Andrea unnecessarily clashed with Nathan Barnhouse. Andrea’s fiery personality and Nathan’s dramatic persona clashed multiple times on MasterChef season 7, but what ultimately sent Andrea home in 11th place was her lack of time management. Despite having the best plate of sausage, Andrea was disqualified after she presented her dish too late. If Andrea beat the clock, there’s no doubt she would’ve gone further on MasterChef season 7.

Related: The Worst Mistakes Made By MasterChef Contestants Ranked

Terry Mueller From MasterChef Season 7

Terry Mueller was a 40-year-old handyman when he appeared on MasterChef season 7, and like Andrea, Terry started his journey on a high note. Throughout Terry’s time on MasterChef, he won three individual challenges, one team challenge, and survived three pressure tests; Terry also won immunity twice. Despite his large stature, Terry was one of the kindest and most passionate contestants featured on MasterChef season 7, with one of the best track records. Terry’s sudden elimination in 9th place shocked MasterChef viewers and his fellow home cooks, especially as he had never been in the bottom three before. Multiple contestants were saved from the bottom yet still outlasted Terry, and if anyone deserved a second chance, it was him.

Wuta Onda From MasterChef Season 10

Wuta Onda had a rough start when the 30-year-old teacher left home to compete on MasterChef season 10, but he showed one of the biggest improvements before his elimination. While Wuta proved to be a strong home cook when it came to individual challenges, Wuta’s ultimate flaw was not his level of talent (or being a vegetarian), but his brain. Wuta struggled to overcome his anxiety several times throughout the competition, and although he was easy to get along with, Wuta was also a poor leader in team challenges. Wuta ultimately finished MasterChef season 10 in 11th place and failed to gain another white apron on MasterChef season 12, but there were several instances where other contestants should’ve been eliminated before him.

More: Watch MasterChef’s Gordon Ramsay Teach Lil Nas X How to Make a Panini