MasterChef USA

Forty of the country's best home cooks compete in the Battle of the Apron challenge; the judges assess the contestants based on their culinary skills, a passion for food and the determination to out-perform their rivals.

The home cooks go head-to-head with their culinary skills as the Battle of the Apron challenge continues.

The top 20 home cooks meet guest judge Wolfgang Puck, who introduces a potato-centric mystery box challenge; in the elimination challenge, the cooks must re-create one of Ramsay's signature dishes.

The 18 cooks split into two teams to prepare appetizers and entrees for season six contestant Nick Nappi's wedding day.

The remaining 17 cooks are joined by season six winner Claudia Sandoval and guest culinary judge Aarón Sánchez for the next challenge. The contestants have 60 minutes to create a dish using Sandoval's favourite ingredients.

Chef Ramsay demonstrates how to make a lobster tortellini dish, then challenges the cooks to re-create the dish exactly as instructed.

In a team challenge, the cooks must prepare a steak, two sides and a sauce for 101 hungry veterans; the losing team is faced with a dreaded pressure test.

The contestants must prepare four entrée dishes using ingredients purchased for 20 dollars or less. Chef Edward Lee serves as guest judge.

The remaining 12 contestants must create 30 dishes for teens celebrating their Sweet 16 birthdays; the cooks are split into teams and receive 16 surprise ingredients, and they get 60 minutes to prepare and present their dishes.

The losing contestants from the Sweet 16 Challenge compete; dishes are prepared for 100 farmers.