Amateur cooks from across the country compete during the first day of auditions to win a place as a masterchef contestant.

The judges continue to winnow down the competition in the final round of auditions, but the stakes are raised as the 36 remaining hopefuls are put to the ultimate test in an intense ground beef challenge. Those who impress the judges will earn a spot in the Top 18 and join the nation's best crop of amateur cooks in the MASTERCHEF kitchen.