By Season 4, MasterChef Canada had evolved in format and expectations: more rigorous challenges, a refined audition process, and stronger storytelling of the home cooks’ journeys. Airing in 2017, Season 4 brought together 12 ambitious competitors from across Canada, all looking to claim the coveted title, trophy, and CAD 100,000 grand prize. The season also introduced changes—both in how contestants were selected and how the finale played out—making it a landmark in the series.
Season Timeline & Format
- First aired: March 2, 2017 on CTV.
- Finale / Last aired: June 1, 2017.
- Number of episodes: 12.
Some format changes of note:
- Instead of wide open auditions, Season 4 began with 24 applicants who directly faced a surprise challenge in their hometowns, from which only 12 spots (the Top 12) were available in the MasterChef kitchen.
- The finale was also altered: for the first time, finalists were required to work non-stop for three uninterrupted hours to produce a full three-course restaurant-quality meal.
Judges were the same trusted panel:
- Michael Bonacini
- Claudio Aprile
- Alvin Leung
Contestants: Top 12
Here are the main contestants in Season 4 (Top 12), along with their backgrounds and how far they made it:
| Contestant | Age | Hometown / Region | Occupation | Result / Elimination Stage |
| Trevor Connie | 26 | Edmonton, Alberta | Plumber / Gas Fitter | Winner (June 1) |
| Dorothea “Thea” VanHerwaarden | 29 | Vancouver, British Columbia | Broker | Runner-Up (June 1) |
| Barrie McConachie | 54 | Vancouver, B.C. | Employee Relations Consultant | Eliminated May 25 |
| Mai Nguyen | 28 | Edmonton, Alberta | Health & Safety Advisor | Eliminated May 11 |
| Miranda Wasstrom | 29 | Edmonton, Alberta | Corporate Safety Administrator | Eliminated May 4 |
| Aaron Polsky | 33 | Montréal, Québec | Director of Operations | Eliminated April 27 |
| Alice Luo | 28 | Toronto, Ontario | PhD Student | Eliminated April 13 (returned briefly via “Redemption”) |
| Justine Joyal | 23 | Montréal, Québec | Business Student | Eliminated April 6 |
| Matt VanderHelm | 28 | Toronto, Ontario | Category Manager | Eliminated March 30 |
| Alisha Sood | 27 | Mississauga, Ontario | Make-up Artist | Eliminated March 23 |
| Jordan Levin | 22 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Server | Eliminated March 23 |
| Kimberly Duffus | 24 | Malton, Ontario | Sales Representative | Eliminated March 16 |
Winner, Runner-Up & Prize Money
- Winner: Trevor Connie, a 26-year-old plumber/gas fitter from Edmonton, Alberta.
- Runner-Up: Dorothea “Thea” VanHerwaarden, 29, a broker from Vancouver, BC.
- Grand Prize Money: CAD $100,000, plus the trophy and the title of MasterChef Canada.
More About the Winner: Trevor Connie
Trevor’s story stands out for several reasons:
- Background & ambitions: Before the show, Trevor worked as a plumber and gas fitter. While not a professional chef by trade, his cooking journey reflects passion, grit, and creativity.
- Audition & food dream: At his audition, Trevor used “fancy rice” as his dish. His declared food dream was to open a tasting restaurant.
- Finale performance: In the final cook-off, Trevor delivered strong, technically precise, yet inventive dishes. For the appetizer, he prepared octopus and chips with a deconstructed lemon tartar sauce; for the main, a braised lamb shank and lamb tongue with celeriac purée and seasonal vegetables; and for dessert, a playful fallen ice cream cone with mint chocolate gelato and crème fraîche whip. Judges praised both his flavour balance and plating.
- Reaction and aftermath: Trevor said winning changed his life in many ways, giving him confidence and vision to pursue his food dream. He expressed deep gratitude to fellow contestants, to judges, and to family and friends. After the win, he considered using the prize to help realize his restaurant aspirations.
Standout Moments & Legacy
- The change in audition format (hometown challenge + then finish in kitchen) stirred new dynamics and pushed contestants from the get-go.
- The non-stop 3-hour finale would become the norm in later seasons. Trevor’s ability to maintain composure, timing, and execution over such a long push was a strong testament to his growth.
- Notably, some contestants from this season like Thea, Barrie, and Mai were invited back in a future “Back to Win” season, showing that even non-winners left strong impressions.
Judges & Evaluation
As in previous seasons, the judges Michael Bonacini, Claudio Aprile, and Alvin Leung evaluated contestants on multiple criteria: flavour, creativity, presentation, technical execution, ability to perform under pressure, consistency. The finale was judged strictly, with no breaks—every minute counted.
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