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In the season premiere episode, 40 of the best home cooks in America travel to Los Angeles to compete in the MASTERCHEF Battle of the Apron challenge, during which they will attempt to earn a coveted white apron and move forward to compete for the MASTERCHEF title, a cookbook deal and the $250,000 grand prize. Judging the battle rounds will be Ramsay and Tosi, who will taste for flavor, creativity and presentation. In order to move to the next round of the competition, the home cooks must display culinary skills, as well as an immense passion for food, and be determined to out-cook their rivals.

40 contestants participate in head-to-head battles in front of Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi, with home cooks with similar signature dishes competing against each other for a white apron and a spot in the top 20. The first battle is between Brandi and Samson in steaks. Brandi's dish is deemed to be better, winning her the first MasterChef white apron. The second battle is between Andrea and Taylor in cupcakes, where Andrea is declared as the winner. The next battle is between four firemen in their signature fire house dishes; Eric and Manny both receive white aprons. In the following battles, Terry, Bill, Barbara, Nathan and Lisa-Ann all are advanced into the next stage of the competition. The last battle in this episode is between Joe and David in pork chops. David is declared as the winner.