‘MasterChef’ season 5 finale review: Elizabeth Cauvel, Courtney Lapresi face off; who won?
Tonight, “MasterChef” aired what was definitely a culinary battle of the ages, and it is probably one that you have been waiting for in particular from the beginning of the top 10 or so. It’s been clear for a long time that Elizabeth Cauvel and Courtney Lapresi were the top two home cooks this season, and after Leslie was sent packing in the first part of the finale, we made it to the point where these two could finally go head-to-head in what was a pretty epic battle.
To be honest, though, we have never found finales for this show to be that interesting. There are only two competitors, and the judges are typically so complimentary that there is no real drama. Plus, most of the contestants that are there for the personality are gone by around the time things get really serious.
Going into this episode, we would have given Elizabeth the edge strictly on the basis of editing, though that was tossed around a number of times during this episode. There were moments where Courtney had it figured out, and then others where she was lagging behind. We still felt confident for Elizabeth most of the hour, even after she struggled with a lamb.
The biggest shocker of the entire night was that Elizabeth’s husband was apparently more nervous than she was, and actually passed out a few seconds before the big reveal.
As for another random moment, why did Courtney need to randomly justify her past? Was there really a lot of judging going on for that behind the scenes? Doesn’t really matter to us.
Then, came the surprise. Courtney won! We didn’t see this one coming a mile away, so we have to give a round of applause to the editors for not making it look like the person with the obvious “hero edit” was the champ. Regardless of if you like Courtney or hate Courtney, there’s no questioning that she was a killer cook all season and deserves the win. Episode Grade: B+.
As for the season, maybe those who are anti-Courtney will be disappointed, and we get that; with that being said, what we like about her win is that it proves the show can still surprise you. This is important so many years in.
What did you think about the “MasterChef” finale, and did the right person win in your mind? Share your thoughts with a comment, and head over here to get some further news related to the show, including scoop on renewal hopes for next season.
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Photo: Fox
Truth
October 3, 2014 @ 8:08 pm
Look back to previous episodes, Courtney once did her own screw up of sugar-salt combo, but went unpunished…..
This is such a setup, very sure she’s got them between her legs…
Neely O'Hara
September 25, 2014 @ 7:49 pm
First of all Courtney put herself on TV – she’s not some innocent trying to make it in the world the only way she knows how – cripes. Need money for school? Wow I know women who worked at regular jobs like retail and had something called STUDENT FREAKING LOANS in order to afford school. Why do strippers always use that as an argument as if the only opportunity for women out there is getting naked and giving lap dances? No way, not a valid reason ever. She did that because she WANTED to do it, liked the attention (OMG have you ever heard anyone so freaking narcissistic – when she won she went on about how proud everyone was of her – are you kidding me? that’s what OTHER people say about you, you twit – you don’t say that about yourself!)) and the money. No other reason. . Is it offensive to me that she was a stripper? Yes and I am entitled to my personal opinion. I do not support women who are strippers, porn stars or prostitutes.I would not buy her cookbook or do anything that could possibly net her money. I am so offended by the producers fixing this so-called competition (yeah, right, they know who will win from jump) that I will never watch the show again.The way these three male judges drooled over Courtney Slutheels (sorry for the slut-shaming but if the shoe fits) was revolting and insulting not just to the women on the show but to all women. They were piggy and fawning over her like she was giving them lap-dances in the back. Just pathetic. I love cooking shows but this was ridiculous. Leslie Gilliams was the best cook on the show but he was railroaded with that crappy salt/sugar “mistake” and no way that was real. That man did not make that mistake. It was always going to be a showdown between the Madonna and the Whore. That’s what makes good TV and equals ratings and this is all about the money folks.That said I hope people who say they won;t watch this farce next season mean it – vote with viewership – let them know that you won’t be watching. I won’t be. There are enough sluts in the world who make it very difficult for legitimate female success as it is and I frankly do not find it entertaining at all.
Frank
September 22, 2014 @ 9:13 am
JUDGMENTAL PEOPLE. If you love Elizabeth, just praise her and dont bash Courtney and her past She may have been a stripper but she’s a good cook. It’s just so bad to read here that you are saying she’s a stripper, she lapdanced the judges bluh. If the person is not a good cook and won the competition then go bash her. She has the talent in cooking. At least she tried to change her life now. It’s just sad that people are judging her. PUT YOURSELF IN HER SHOES. PUT YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF A STRIPPER WHO HAS A DREAM OF BECOMING A CHEF. What would you feel reading comments about her? It’s disappointing to read comments of the fans of Elizabeth that bashes Courtney. I’m a fan of Courtney, but I don’t say bad things about Elizabeth. JUDGE YOURSELF FIRST BEFORE YOU JUDGE OTHERS.
Justine
September 18, 2014 @ 10:27 pm
Elizabeth had a cohesive menu theme and consistent performance. Courtney’s menu was disjointed and she majorly screwed up the dessert. Courtney winning was a farce.
Sophie Mann
September 18, 2014 @ 6:34 pm
I am a fan of Elizabeth’s, just like everyone else. She’s more modest than Courtney and more likable because of her easy-going personality and lack of high heels and weird lipstick. However, Courtney proved herself from the very beginning as being an incredibly talented, strong cook and woman. Who cares if she was a stripper or whatever? She had to pay the bills because she was going to school, living on her own, and her family was not incredibly well off, as she stated when she won that she’d be paying for her mother to remodel her kitchen.
Courtney certainly needed the money to change her life, while Elizabeth could have benefitted from the money, but was not broke or forced to resort to feeling degraded and unhappy (though some women do find stripping empowering, it was clear Courtney didn’t) to make money and also has a husband with a job, as well. Both chefs were worthy of the money and the title, and I have no doubt Elizabeth will one day publish a best-selling cookbook. I know I’d buy it!
Bob B.
September 17, 2014 @ 4:08 pm
Yeah…Courtney was consistently:
1. Catty
2. A victim
3. Posing
4. Did I mention Posing?
5. Overly impressed with herself and not others.
6. Narcissistic
7. ..and just someone who I did not look forward to seeing every week.
I even wonder if she was doing something in the pantry off camera with the judges, based on the fact that she won??
She did offer one plus…I loved to hate her around all of the cool chefs on the show!!!!!
henrikovratd
September 17, 2014 @ 12:22 pm
Why do you all have to have sour grapes? Courtney was the better chef and the most consistent through the season.
I understand some of the woman being jealous about Courtney’s looks but get over it.
She was polite,cordial,combative, confident,passionate,and conducted herself like a lady throughout…to me that is everything you need to be a winner.
Elizabeth was equally as good and she will be well off going forward as will Leslie,Cutter,and some others.
Great entertainment!!!
FeelReallySadForYou
September 19, 2014 @ 3:16 pm
here we go. just another Courtney lonely fans, alone in his laptop, jobless, with lots time to spend some comment
gorka
October 3, 2014 @ 2:49 am
Elizabeth never was in a pressure test. So…was really Courtney the most consistent? Don’t think so. During the last programs Elizabeth was much better than Courtney and during the finale she didn’t ate part of judges’ dessert (sorry about my english)
Nana007
September 17, 2014 @ 12:15 am
The better cook won Courtney Elizabeth became unglued because she never felt any real pressure until last night. Who’s better to put your business on the street you or the tabloids. So there is no dirt. Regardless Iit was about the pots and pans not low blows all of courtney comments were food related elizabeth lost some class with her comments because she knew she was gonna lose. Husband fainting seems stage where was elizabeth concern or her families her mom face said finally her son in law is dead. Stop hating go courtney!!!!!!!!
henrikovratd
September 17, 2014 @ 12:26 pm
Thanks NANA….called it correctly.
marsha florence
September 16, 2014 @ 7:58 pm
I would not have wasted my time watching this show at all if I thought this trashy mean spirited bitch would be the winner . You will never get me to watch again I am so disappointed . What a joke who did she screw?
henrikovratd
September 17, 2014 @ 12:26 pm
Another sour puss woman…more proof to the pattern!!!
courtneyissuperskank
September 19, 2014 @ 3:15 pm
wow, you don’t have a job, do ya?
Bugsby
September 16, 2014 @ 7:15 pm
What a disappointing season finale!! Even my 14-year old son said from the beginning that the judges favored Courtney. Where are your integrity as judges? Shame on you! Unless there are naked pictures of Courtney without her face in the cookbook, who would even want to purchase her cookbook? Elizabeth should have been crowned the season 5 MasterChef, not Courtney.
henrikovratd
September 17, 2014 @ 12:25 pm
Right a fourteen yr old has real credibility…yhat validates the outcome…get real!!!
courtneyissuperskank
September 19, 2014 @ 3:14 pm
you get real, perv!
JBug
September 16, 2014 @ 6:19 pm
This was the first time that we didn’t have a male and female in the finale. I thought that Cutter was purposely sent home because Leslie had a bigger chance at beating one of the girls than Cutter did. I was confident from the beginning of the pie/cheescake/creme pie competition that somehow Leslie was going to beat Courtney as this would ensure that we would have a male/female finale. It looked the whole time as though Leslie was going to beat her. It was the classic first dish goes to A, second goes to B, and the third a close call, but Leslie’s looked so much better than Courtney’s!! I was beyond shocked at the salt/sugar fiasco and new at that moment that the judges couldn’t do anything to help Leslie. It was epic and made for great television, despite it being immensely disappointing. I wasn’t rooting for Leslie, but I thought a Leslie/Elizabeth finale would come off better than a Courtney/Elizabeth finale as it seems more balanced (I acknowledge that Elizabeht/Courtney make for a better cook-off).
I appreciate how daring courtney’s finale was, but I though Elizabeth’s was all around better if you subtract out the mistakes on both sides.
As the author said, it’s amazing how MS keeps things so fresh and suspenseful. I haven’t liked a winner ever besides Cristine, but the show is still incredible and I can’t wait until next season!!
anders
September 16, 2014 @ 3:54 pm
From the first moment when Courtney crossed her high-heeled feet and crossed her hands behind her back to push her chest forward, I saw the three male judges with their tongues hanging out, and it was easy to see who was going to win this one. I hung on to the end in hopes that Leslie would put her in her place. When that didn’t happen I didn’t bother watching the rest of the finale. I knew Courtney would, once again, somehow come from behind and pull off the win. I have watched my last pathetic MC.
Fief321
September 16, 2014 @ 3:21 pm
Elizabeth was the better of the two, I was rooting for Leslie though, looks like he would have won the semi- final (surprisingly) if not for the salt/sugar fail.
Angie Snyder
September 16, 2014 @ 1:39 pm
I’m so disappointed in the results. I assure you I would not buy her (Courtney) cook book. Elizabeth, is a much better cook and handles herself with dignity and class. Too bad the producers and the judges decided that an average looking stripper who could put a couple of dishes together was the epitome of a MasterChef.
Elizabeth, who is hands down more beautiful on the inside and out than her competitor was more consistent in her cooking and certainly more cohesive in her presentations.
If Leslie had not messed up his Boston Cream Pie, Courtney would have went home. She was only in the finale as a default for a mistake that every judge said they too have done. Leslie, who is not a baker; beat the self gloating Courtney, “I’ve got this.” I do hope she learns some humility.
In conclusion, due to the very obvious editing, and the shows decision to use her “oh woe is me,” story; I don’t know if I will be watching the next season. If I had to make a decision based on how I feel about the show right now, the answer would be an absolutely not. My final thought is, Courtney, did not truly win the right to stand beside and share the title of MasterChef, with Christine, Luca, Jennifer and any of the others
JBug
September 16, 2014 @ 6:22 pm
I agree with you wholeheartedly, except that Courtney was in the finale for more reasons than just the botched cream pie. She was a front runner the entire season, unlike Leslie. Although I was extremely disappointed with the results (I hated courtney all season), I was more pissed off last year when the talentless, uncreative, luca won.
I was only satisfied with Christine. Jennifer was solid as well.
Vildi
September 16, 2014 @ 10:22 am
Husbands fainting, desserts going wrong, “intelligent cooking for the brain” (LOL) , award winning editing.. Courtney won. I don’t know if she was the best cook throughout whole season, and I’m not sure that Elisabeth was all that great winning every possible thing she could win to the final. Wish I’d seen Elisabeth & Leslie final, but at the end who wins wins, and takes it all. Wonder why they didn’t think of a comforting award for the second place, website or something, it would be nice in my opinion.
And maybe it really will be a life changer for Courtney. That was all there was to ‘explain’ – that this win is her ‘break from the past’. Producers wanted Courtney to mention her last job like is something she should be ashamed of, but for me it’s where she lost credibility. It was her
job, she did it, point. What mattered was her time on MasterChef. We have to stop discriminating people like this. Give girl a break.
Next season, I don’t know if i’ll have time to watch it, but I hope there will be less legs and more “great dishes screentime”.
Bruninha Carvalho
September 16, 2014 @ 5:46 am
Courtney should do a naked cooking show in PlayboyTV. That´s all she can do with this title.
Elizabeth should be the winner. Her menu was perfect.
henrikovratd
September 17, 2014 @ 12:25 pm
Another sour woman….get the pattern on this site.
courtneyissuperskank
September 19, 2014 @ 3:14 pm
keep on commenting other comment, troll!
disappointed
September 16, 2014 @ 3:14 am
Haven’t seen it yet but thanks for sparing me the time since if she won that show just lost all credibility. You mentioned sudden discussion of her past so I guess That’s why she tried to justify her past since producers are worried about selling a stripper cookbook so they had to address it now (believe me that was orchestrated by producers). She had talent sure but if she wasn’t prancing around in short skirts and heels all the time, there were a couple of times she was in danger of going home where a middle aged white guy would have been voted off, she was kept on. Ahran mentioned the favoritism in an early episode without naming names but we could all see the judges were falling over themselves for their “tart”. Really watch the editing – have you ever seen so many camera angles of her shoes and legs on a cooking show. Never again for MC US. I’ll stick to master chef from around the world which focuses on cooking and not drama and now sex – pathetic excuse for men to be so easily swayed (she’s not even that attractive which makes it even worse) just sad.
sowhat
September 16, 2014 @ 2:37 am
i waiting for the playboy issue of masterchef
Kevin Sheets
September 16, 2014 @ 2:07 am
I’m hoping Courtney’s cookbook will be titled
” Courtney Lapres, from Hookin’ to Cookin’ “