I think we’re finally getting a look at these contestants’ strengths and weaknesses, and it becomes easier to rank as the time goes on. Here we go.
18. Mark Ingraham- Mark has been an up and down roller coaster for me, and this week, he got a freebee from Cesar. I really don’t know how much longer he’s going to go on, but I assume it’s gonna be soon that he’s eliminated.
17. Shanika Patterson- Oh Shanika. Once my favorite. Then a major character. Now just someone who is consistently on the bottom. I’m worried for Shanika going into a team challenge. She’s been losing some steam and could be in some serious danger.
16. Gerron Hunt- Gerron has been so-so, like Mark. This early on, only a few people have truly hit the bottom, and Gerron is one of them, so he’s still coasting toward the bottom.
15. Samantha Daily- Samantha made a mistake in this past challenge, and her youth is really starting to show. I don’t love her chances, but she did say that she had a landmark week coming up (her father’s death anniversary). I assume she’ll make it to that point, so count her in for a few more weeks. But not much longer than a few weeks.
14. Bowen Li- Oh Bowen. After a terrible team challenge performance, then crashing and burning in the churros. He cooks Chinese food really well, but he hasn’t nailed everything else. That worries me, and I think Bowen may be in danger if he gets put in a pressure test that isn’t in his comfort zone.
13. Juni Cuevas- Juni had a great dish, but it looks from the previews that Ramsay gets in his face. I don’t see him crumbling. But the previews have actually been spot on, so I’m going to put Juni toward the bottom for safe keeping.
12. Chelsea Sargent- Chelsea is a strong baker. But she crashed and burned in the last team challenge. So she’s in the middle going on.
11. Ryan Cortez- Ryan is probably the least edited of the group, next to maybe Lindsay? I don’t know enough about his food to put him much higher.
10. Lindsay Haigh- See Ryan.
9. Farhan Momin- Farhan finally got the target off his back for a little bit. Aaron’s team still has a lot of people left on it, so he’s vulnerable. But I think he needed this week to bounce back, and seeing that this next challenge is a team one should be good for Farhan.
8. Taylor Waltmon- Taylor had her first misstep in the competition. But it still wasn’t a terrible misstep, and I think she’ll be fine.
7. Ralph Xavier Degala- Ralph is always a pleasant sight to see. He always seems so happy. And with a team challenge coming up, he should be solid.
6. SJ Yun- Like Ralph, he’s really good at team challenges. He’s fine.
5. Ashley Mincey- Ashley has been coasting in the middle after a strong first episode. We need to see more of Ashley! C’mon y’all!
4. Julia Danno- Julia is a beast in team challenges. She also served some delicious churros. I think Julia is a dark horse.
3. Emily Hallock- Emily is the strongest one there, I think. But she was a little more invisible this time. That doesn’t matter because I think she’s set for the long-term game.
2. Matt Houck- Matt finally showed up to play. To compete. To win! Matt had a great week and made some rockin’ churros. It looks like he’ll be a team captain, and I can see him leading very well.
1. Cesar Cano- Cesar won this episode for me. Not only did he cook well, but he’s really playing the game! He saved those he knew would be safe, and put those he wanted out in the bottom. While he didn’t send Bowen home, he surely knocked him lower. Now, Bowen is no longer the biggest threat, and Cesar is going into a team challenge with lots of friends and a good resume under his belt.
So right now, there are a lot of clear favorites like Cesar, Emily, and Ashley. Then there are those who have been on the bottom since the start like Samantha, Mark, and Gerron. And then those who have been flip floppy like Shanika, Bowen, and Chelsea. It’s really tough to call, but I’m keeping hope that Mark goes soon.
I think we’re finally getting a look at these contestants’ strengths and weaknesses, and it becomes easier to rank as the time goes on. Here we go.
https://masterchef.wikia.com/wiki/User_blog:Jncrushcandies/MasterChef_Season_9_Top_17_Power_Rankings