MasterChef Episode 2.03 Audition 3 (Top 38 Revealed)

It's Day 3 of auditions and the final chance for the home cooks to make a good impression on judges Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, and Joe Bastianich. Once again, the challengers have one hour in the prep kitchen and five minutes in front of the judges to complete their dishes. With a minimum of two "yes" votes from the judges, they'll earn a "MasterChef" apron and advance in the competition.

First up is neural engineer Suzy, a first generation South Asian who calls cooking her "happy place." Her conservative parents are, however, not overjoyed with her choice to pursue a culinary career. But Suzy pleases the chefs at the judges' table, who give her Tandoori sea bass en papillote "three definite 'yeses.' "

The day may be off to a sweet start, but the judges quickly sour on the next batch of contestants. Gordon says that one dish featuring a Creole crab and crawdad cake is a "nine and a half out of a hundred." Graham is no kinder to another aspiring chef; he says that she mishandled her halibut, adding, "Every time somebody uses tongs on a delicate piece of fish, God kills a puppy."

The judges have more aprons to hand out when "MasterChef's" youngest-ever competitor enters the judge's circle. Max Kramer, 18, was raised on the finer things in life. He hopes to impress the judges by serving them fried Kumamoto oyster with steak tataki. But Joe points out that the privileged youth is trying to impress them by using luxury ingredients, adding, "I don't know if you have a lot technique." But when a "no" from Graham and a "yes" from Gordon force Joe to be the tie-breaker, he sends Max through. Gordon, however, wonders, "Is he a MasterChef or is he a trust fund baby?"