MasterChef Season 12 premieres with the first head-to-head battles between returning chefs

MasterChef is back and for Season 12 the theme is “Back to Win.” So what does that mean? It means that we already know these chefs and what they can do.

And while we may already know who the top 20 chefs for this season will be (thanks to previews and the internet), that doesn’t mean we don’t want to know how they get to this point. This is where the head-to-head battles come into the picture.

In the premiere episode of Season 12, we get to see a large group of former MasterChef competitors return for a second chance to be number one. But to whittle down the competition to that top 20, it was all about battling it out for a spot at the top.

MasterChef returns to give former competitors a new chance to shine

For some people, the battle rounds to earn an apron an a chance to cook in the MasterChef kitchen is more of an annoyance than something to appreciate. However, there is something to be said for getting to see past chefs return for a chance to compete. And since so many of these chefs will not be returning to the actual competition beyond these head-to-head battles, this was one more chance for these chefs to show what they can do.

And whether you love it or hate it, there will be a second episode of these battles where we get to see even more returning competitors give it a try to return to the kitchen. (We are actually pretty excited to see the former MasterChef Junior chefs get a chance to compete for an opportunity to be on the main series.)

By the end of this premiere episode, six chefs were sent home leaving us with our first batch of chefs ready to return to the MasterChef kitchen to prove why they should be the ultimate winner of the “Back to Win” season. And while it may have been a bit of a blow to see so many chefs get sent home, it also made perfect sense.

But we want to know what you thought of this premiere. Were you surprised by the head-to-head battles? Were you surprised by some of the chefs who did not make the cut? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.