MasterChef Season 15 Recap: Rachel & Julio Win Mystery Box Challenge, Ashley & Ricky Eliminated

Tonight on MasterChef Season 15, tensions soared as the Top 11 duos faced an intense Mystery Box challenge, tasked with blending sweet and spicy ingredients into one harmonious dish. Judges Gordon Ramsay, Tiffany Derry, and Joe Bastianich were on hand to critique each dish in the all-new “Mister-y & Mrs. Box” episode airing June 18, 2025, on Fox.

The Challenge

Each duo received two Mystery Boxes—one filled with sweet ingredients like maple syrup, fresh cherries, and chocolate, and the other with spicy elements such as horseradish, mustard greens, and peppers. Without any protein included, the winning duo from the previous challenge, Zach and Michelle, were given the power to assign proteins to the other teams. Darce and Courtney faced an extra challenge cooking meat for the first time, as Zach and Michelle tactically assigned them chicken.

With only 60 minutes on the clock, duos raced to craft a cohesive dish that masterfully combined sweet and spicy flavors.

Top 3 Standouts

• Jessica & Jesse: Praised for their seared prawns with a sweet carrot and ginger puree, spicy shrimp ‘nduja jus, and mustard greens. Judges applauded their finesse and flavor balance.

• Rachel & Julio: Their seared octopus paired with patatas bravas, spicy salsa roja, and sweet Chambord pickled apples and radishes earned rave reviews, including Joe Bastianich comparing their octopus favorably to his restaurants.

• Tina & Aivan: Their Korean-style BBQ short ribs with radish kimchi and garlic rice impressed judges, though suggestions were made for a more cohesive sauce.

Challenge Winner

Rachel & Julio claimed the win, securing a significant advantage for the next round.

Bottom 3 & Elimination

• Azu & Javier: Criticized for an incohesive venison dish with a sauce that didn’t meet expectations.

• Ashley & Ricky: Their spiced-rubbed filet mignon with dirty rice and sweet Chambord sauce was faulted for overcooked meat and poor flavor harmony.

• Zach & Michelle: Their duck breast dish was too heavy with duck fat and overly sweet, resulting in a rare misstep despite their advantage.

Unfortunately, Ashley & Ricky were eliminated, marking the second duo to leave this season. The siblings expressed disappointment but vowed to improve.

What’s Next?

The Top 10 duos will dive into their first team challenge: preparing seafood for 101 fishermen and their families, upping the stakes further.