Each of the thirteen episodes in MasterChef USA moves the contestants one step closer to the honor of being called "the best amateur cook in the country" and the Grand Prize of a trip for two to the Cuisinart Resort and Spa on the Island of Anguilla.

The three course menus required by the MasterChef USA rules seem to get more complex and intense as nine Regional Contest winners move on to the Semi-final Round; and then just three contestant in the Grand Finale episode. Of course, the contestants' path toward the Grand Prize is made even more difficult because they are required to cook a completely different menu for each round.

Episode Descriptions

Episode 201	Midwestern-A Regional Cookoff Contestants Geoffrey Hill, Norita Solt, and Kaylan Dutta prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to try to capture the regional title. The celebrity judges are Comedian, Bobby Collins and Chef Susan Feniger, Border Grill Restaurant, co-host of "Tamales World Tour".
Episode 202	Northwestern Regional Cookoff Contestants David Ross, Kathy Urbano, and Joe King prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to try to capture the regional title. The celebrity judges are Jerry Anne Divecchio, Senior Editor, Sunset Magazine Chef Tom Douglas, Restaurateur/Author.
Episode 203 Northeastern - B From left to right, Contestant Laura Chavoen; Host Gary Rhodes; Contestants Cindy Blakeslee and Tirso Perez
Episode 203	Northeastern-B Regional Cookoff Contestants Tirso Perez, Laura Chavoen, and Cindy Blakeslee prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to try to capture the regional title. The celebrity judges are Laurin Sydney, of "Showbiz Today" on CNN and Chef Benjamin Ford, Co-Chef and Owner, Chadwick Restaurant.
Episode 204 Western - A From left to right, Host Gary Rhodes; Contesteant Marion Stevens, Heather Rizzoli and Gail Singer; and Judges Jacklyn Zeman and Chef Mark Peel
Episode 204	Western-A Regional Cookoff Contestants Marion Stevens, Gail Singer, and Heather Rizzoli prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to try to capture the regional title. The celebrity judges are Actress Jacklyn Zeman, of "General Hospital" and Chef Mark Peel, Campanile Restaurant.
Episode 205 Southeastern From left to right, Host Gary Rhodes; Contesteants Lala Cheema and Kimberly Davis; Judges Mary Sue Milliken and David Brenner; and Contestant Peter Hyzak
Episode 205	Southeastern Regional Cookoff Contestants Lala Cheema, Kimberly Davis, and Peter Hyzak prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to try to capture the regional title. The celebrity judges are Author/Comedian, David Brenner and Chef Mary Sue Milliken, Border Grill Restaurant, co-host of "Tamales World Tour".
Episode 206 Midwestern - B From left to right, Judge Chef Damian Mandola; Contestants Janet Moore and Robert Whitt; Judge Suzanne Rogers; Contestant Camilla Saulsbury; and Host Gary Rhodes
Episode 206	Midwestern-B Regional Cookoff Contestants Camilla Saulsbury, Robert Whitt, and Janet Moore prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to try to capture the regional title. The celebrity judges are Actress Suzanne Rogers of "Days of Our Lives" and Chef Damian Mandola, Carrabbas Italian Grill Restaurants and Co-Host of "Cucina Amore".
Episode 207 Northeastern - A From left to right, Host Gary Rhodes; Contestants Kyung Chang, Joan Churchill and Charles Sweeney; and Judges Tom Bergeron and Chef Richard Kaupp
Episode 207	Northeastern-A Regional Cookoff Contestants Charles Sweeney, Kyung Chang, and Joan Churchill prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to try to capture the regional title. The celebrity judges are and Tom Bergeron, host of "Hollywood Squares" and Chef Richard Kaupp, Asia de Cuba Restaurant at the Mondrian Hotel.
Episode 208 Western - B From left to right, Contestants Martina Thurlow, Baron Long and Josie Aaronson-Gelb
Episode 208	Western-B Regional Cookoff Contestants Baron Long, Josie Aaronson-Gelb, and Martina Thurlow prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to try to capture the regional title. The celebrity judges are Bill Nye the Science Guy and Chef Michael Chiarello, Founder of NapaStyle.
Episode 209	Southwestern Regional Cookoff Contestants Mary Boyd, Herman Liu, and Kristen Ritchie prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to try to capture the regional title. The celebrity judges are Suzanne Sena, host of "Celebrity Homes" on E! Entertainment and Chef Mark Miller, Coyote Café.
Episode 210	Semi-Final Competition #1 The three winners from the Southwestern and Midwestern Regional Cookoffs compete for this Semi-Final slot. The celebrity judges are Barbara Fairchild, Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appetit Magazine and Piero Selvaggio, Owner, Piero Selvaggio's Valentino & Posto Restaurants;
Episode 211	Semi-Final Competition #2 The three winners from the Northeastern and Southeastern Regional Cookoffs compete for this Semi-Final slot. The celebrity judges are A. J. Benza, Host of "Mysteries and Scandals" and Chef Rick Bayless, Host of "Mexico: One Plate at a Time".
Episode 212	Semi-Final Competition #3 The three winners from the Northwestern and Western Regional Cookoffs compete for this Semi-Final slot. The celebrity judges are Actress Donna Mills and Chef Allyson Thurber, The Lobster Restaurant.
Episode 213	Grand Finale The three finalists from Semi-Finals 1, 2, and 3 prepare their best gourmet recipes against the clock to capture the title of MasterChef USA. The celebrity judges are B. Smith, Host of "B. Smith with Style"; and Nancy Vaziri, Winner of the MasterChef USA 2000 Title.