MasterChef S16, Gordon Ramsay And Judges Pick First White Apron Winners In World Cup Themed Premiere

Fox's cooking show, MasterChef, remained one of the most loved shows. Season 15 was won by Jessica Bosworth and Jesse Rosenwald, and now Season 16 is on the cards, and it has already begun with the very first audition on April 16, 2026.

For the unversed, this season the theme will be having a World Cup-inspired twist, which means the best home cooks who will be running in the next race to be America's next Master Chef will be from the USA, but will represent four global territories, including the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. The first audition marked five home cooks from Europe who had their hands on the white aprons, which means the ticket to the show. But who were they? Let's have a look at the first white apron earners on MasterChef 16, along with a recap!

Spoilers Ahead!

Recap of MasterChef season 16's Global Gauntlet premiere

MasterChef season 16 is going global now, and to honour the upcoming World Cup, this summer in North America, the theme has been kept, in which only the strongest contestants will get a chance to move forward by overcoming the challenges of the qualifying rounds. The first audition was for the European home cooks and had five seats for the contestants, who could grab them by holding the coveted white aprons, which would be possible only if they could impress the judges and get a unanimous approval from the three judges, Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and Tiffany Derry.

Gordon Ramsay welcomed the European home cooks into the kitchen, and they were introduced to the format of the show. For the audition round, they had to prepare an impressive dish within 45 minutes. The dishes from the auditionees would not only be something that might impress the judge, but something that was rooted in their heritage. Only 5 contestants could have their hands on the white aprons.

First 5 contestants of MasterChef 16 who won white aprons: First being, Julia Cili

The first white apron winner of MasterChef US Season 16 was Julia. The 23-year-old from Miami already has a connection to the show, and she dreams of finishing what her family started. Julia's grandmother, Veronica, competed on season 6 of the cooking show, and now she is there to finish what the former contestant started. She prepared cannoli tiramisu, pistachio, and classic, which won over the judges, with questions about plating from Ramsay. However, Joe had his final 'yes' ready for Julia.

Italy's Nico Cosereanu has his white apron in MasterChef 16

Another contestant who won the white apron was 21-year-old Nico from Millburn, Italy. He shared his emotional dream to buy his late grandfather's house in Northern Italy and turn it into a restaurant one day. Well, his red wine risotto with caramelised pears, sage, and gorgonzola left the judges impressed, and the result was the white apron.

Aghata wows the judges and enters MasterChef 16

35-year-old Aghata, from Westminster, Spain, found her path to becoming a chef after becoming a mom. Her family carries their identity in cooking, and it took her a lot to find the right path; thus, getting the white apron would validate her decision. Aghata could actually win the white apron as she made arroz meloso with seafood and snapper.

Ted and Basia, two European home cooks had their hands on white aprons

50-year old Ted from Greece could easily win the white apron with his shrimp souvlaki with whipped feta and homemade pita, while the fifth contestant who won the apron also shared a tie with the show, as her husband finished fifth on season 11 of MasterChef. The contestant's name is Basia, from Asbury Park, Poland. She had her hand on the white apron as she made Polish truffle golumpkis with dill oil.

Pc: Fox

What do you think about the first audition of MasterChef season 16?

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