Season 13 of MasterChef: United Tastes of America shifted the culinary battleground by pitting regional teams—Northeast, Midwest, South, and West—head-to-head under judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Joe Bastianich. Viewers watched twenty home cooks chase a $250,000 grand prize and the ultimate title. Now that the kitchen lights have dimmed, fans want to know what happened to the regional finalists and standout home cooks after the cameras stopped rolling.
The champion of Season 13 was Grant Gillon, a brewery sales director from Altoona, Iowa, who represented Team Midwest. Alongside him, lifestyle blogger Jennifer Maune from Team South and festival vendor Kennedy Underwood from Team West fought through the grueling finale as co-runners-up. While television editing captures a snapshot of their cooking journeys, their post-show trajectories reveal real career pivots into private dining, pop-up concepts, and food media.
What Happened to the Top Finalists
Grant Gillon
Grant captured the Season 13 trophy by blending his Italian heritage with hearty Midwestern ingredients during the three-course finale. Since winning, the Iowa native hasn't traded his apron for a quiet life. Instead, he has hosted exclusive pop-up dining events at local golf courses, partnered with fellow regional chefs for collaborative dinners, and built a digital footprint as a food content creator often cooking alongside his family. Grant continues working toward opening his long-awaited farm-to-table restaurant rooted in his hometown.
Jennifer Maune
As a runner-up, Jennifer brought high-end southern hospitality and precise plating to every episode. Since leaving the Fox soundstage, the Arkansas-based lifestyle blogger transformed her personal brand into a full-fledged culinary business. She launched her own signature line of seasonings, Heritage Seasonings, works professionally as a private chef, and regularly shares upscale home recipes through her digital channels.
Kennedy Underwood
Known for her artistic flair and foraging expertise, Kennedy finished right alongside Jennifer in the finale. The former Denver festival vendor transitioned away from mobile food vending to launch high-end pop-up restaurant concepts. She focuses heavily on hyper-seasonal, wild-harvested ingredients and continues to build a reputation for experiential dining across the Western United States.
Notable Contestants and Where They Stand Today
- Savannah "Sav" Miles: After capturing hearts with her farm-to-table background from Team South, Sav shifted into hosting intimate cookery classes and working as a private chef. Interestingly, she also pursued academic interests by studying law.
- Reagan Sidney: The New Orleans paralegal turned her passion for regional cuisine into a full-time career. She operates Curated by Reagan, offering boutique meal prep services, in-home private dining, and custom catering.
- Kolby Chandler: Representing Team South, this entrepreneur expanded his footprint in the food space by launching Bayou City Seasonings and working as an independent private chef.
- Brynn Weaver: The Providence bartender managed intense team pressure throughout the season and now applies those high-volume management skills directly within restaurant operations as a restaurant manager.
- Charles Calvino: The Ohio hairstylist-turned-recipe-developer leans heavily into social media content creation, publishing engaging home-cooking tutorials and comfort food guides online.
Common Post-Show Career Paths for MasterChef Alum
Stepping out of a televised commercial kitchen and into the real culinary world isn't straightforward. Most contestants don't immediately open brick-and-mortar restaurants due to high startup costs and economic hurdles. Instead, successful alumni typically leverage their screen time through three distinct pathways:
- Private Dining and Catering: Offering bespoke in-home cooking experiences allows former contestants to control their overhead while building loyal local client bases.
- CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods): Launching proprietary hot sauces, spice blends, or specialty rubs capitalizes on the personal brand recognition gained during the broadcast.
- Digital Content Monetization: Turning television exposure into dedicated YouTube channels, TikTok recipes, and brand sponsorships provides a steady revenue stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won MasterChef Season 13?
Grant Gillon, a brewery sales director from Altoona, Iowa, won Season 13 of MasterChef: United Tastes of America.
Who were the runners-up for Season 13?
Jennifer Maune and Kennedy Underwood finished the season as co-runners-up after presenting exceptional three-course menus in the finale.
How many contestants competed in Season 13?
A total of twenty home cooks earned aprons representing four distinct regions: the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.
Did any Season 13 contestants open their own restaurants?
While many alumni run pop-up series, private catering businesses, and food lines, several winners and finalists like Grant Gillon are actively planning permanent brick-and-mortar restaurant locations.
