Who Will Win 'MasterChef' 2023? Double Elimination Served Up In Episode 8

"MasterChef" Season 13 was back on Wednesday night following a brief break, but it wasn't a welcome return for two cooks.

Episode 8 contestants were served up a double elimination by the judges, Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich, who said two contestants had to go because the dishes were "that bad.”

Mystery Box Reveals Surprise

Ramsay introduced the "Birds of a Feather Mystery Box" episode by warning the cooks they only had one box per region — Northeast, West, Midwest and South. He said, "Tonight, you're facing a mystery box challenge. But, as you can see, there's just one box per region."

The teams opened their boxes to reveal a chicken each, and were told they could divide the bird up between their teammates however they wished.

Last week's winning South captain Jennifer was given the power to choose a team to start 10 minutes behind everyone else.

In a twist, she picked the Midwest, who helped her South side triumph in the "Trial by Fire: Field Challenge" episode last week, and they were less than impressed.

Midwest cook Grant said, "That's definitely not Midwest nice," and Wayne told Jennifer, "We'll remember this, too."

West cook Kennedy won the Mystery Box Challenge and the Immunity Pin, meaning she won't be eliminated next week. 

In doing so, she also saved her West teammates James, Lizzie, and Madame Donut from exiting the competition this week, much to Lizzie's relief. 

After two wins in a row, Jennifer landed in the bottom three, but it was Purvi and Sarah who were eliminated instead of her. 

The Season 13 winner will land a $250,000 prize and the title of "America's MasterChef.”

With these hypothetical odds provided by industry sports betting experts, we've taken a deep dive into which remaining contestants have what it takes to triumph.

New Favorite Kennedy

Kennedy has emerged as the new "MasterChef" favorite after impressing with her crispy chicken thigh with spaetzle and braised cabbage, with Sanchez describing her effort as "remarkably delicious.”

Observing her dish, Ramsay said to her, "It's the kind of thing you want to sit on a long table with 50 of you at a beer fest." Bastianich added, "Someone give me a beer." 

He was also full of praise for Kennedy, telling her she is playing the competition at "the highest level.” 

That is some praise indeed, especially from sometime tough talker Bastianich, and Kennedy is now +200 to win Season 13, from +300 last week. 

Kennedy has now flip-flopped in the futures betting with two-time winner Jennifer, who is now +300, from +200 last week.

Jennifer had been setting the standards high in the competition after winning Episode 6 and then leading her Red Team to glory in Episode 7. But she couldn't match her own high standards in Episode 8, when her roasted chicken breast with charred greens, chicken gravy and Southern flavored risotto failed to impress. Bastianich told her, "It’s not really a dish."

After the judges sent Purvi and Sarah home, Ramsay told Jennifer, "You dodged a bullet tonight."

Jennifer is now even in price with +300 chance Kyle, and they are just ahead of +350 pair Reagan and Nina.  

Brynn On The Move 

Brynn has made some positive moves in the futures betting after she was named as one of the three top cooks of the night who didn't win, alongside Grant and Kendal. 

Northeast star Brynn was praised by Bastianich for a "well-executed home dish" after serving up chicken cacciatore with roasted asparagus and crispy chicken skin, and a chicken liver mousse. 

Following her efforts, Brynn is now +600 to win this season's “MasterChef,” from +750, and she has moved ahead of +750 chance Charles.

Kendal and Grant were previously languishing at the bottom of the market at +1100 after tough starts to the competition, but they both found their feet in Episode 8.

One of the main attractions of the night was Kendal's homemade barbecue sauce, and Ramsay couldn't get enough.

Speaking about Kendal's barbecue sauce, Ramsay said, "That thing needs to be put in a bottle and sold online. It's exceptional."

Kendal is now +800, even in price with Grant after they both impressed, and Madame Donut, who was immune from an Episode 8 exit.

Nearer the top end of the market is Wayne, who was less than impressed about Jennifer giving the Midwest a 10-minute delay in the challenge.

Some karma struck during the episode, and now he isn't far behind Jennifer in the betting.

At +400, Wayne is the same price as Kolby, while Sav, who impressed with her butchery skills during the Mystery Box Challenge, is +500, and James is priced at +550, just in front of Brynn.  

Lizzie Languishing After Near Miss 

Alongside Jennifer, Lizzie was another fortunate cook in Episode 8. 

She could well have been eliminated if it weren’t for Kennedy winning immunity for the West. 

Lizzie ran out of time to cook her initial dish during the episode and even had to plead with her team to "save" her.

She is now propping up the market at +1000, from +800 last time out, and is no doubt delighted to still be in the competition, which can't be said for Purvi and Sarah.

Purvi cooked up butter chicken with homemade naan bread, and things were looking good for her at the beginning of the episode.

Ramsay told Purvi he loves butter chicken, and the cook said she was "so glad" to be making the dish.

She also appeared confident, saying, "I was nervous, I just focused myself and I'm ready to roll."

However, the proof was not in the eating. Ramsay said Purvi's dish, which included raw bread, was a "shocking misfire" and she was sent home.

Sarah also failed with her chicken roulade with roasted potatoes and tomato and cucumber salad, with the panelists left disappointed in the "dry" dish.

Following her exit, Sarah described "MasterChef" as "the best experience.”

Next week, the cooks will face their toughest challenge yet in the "United Cakes of America" episode, which will celebrate the show's 250th episode.

This week's Immunity Pin winner and new favorite Kennedy will be tasked with assigning each contestant an iconic cake to re-create.