For its fifth season, MasterChef Canada raised the bar even higher. Airing in spring 2018, this season introduced some of the youngest talent the show had ever seen, gave us more complex challenges, and saw a dramatic finale that pitted east vs. west. With the same judging trio returning, Season 5 became notable not only for its culinary battles but also for lifting up one of its youngest contestants to champion status. Let’s look at how this season unfolded.
Season Timeline & Basics
- First aired: April 3, 2018 on CTV
- Finale / Last aired: June 19, 2018
- Number of episodes: 12
- Judges: Michael Bonacini, Claudio Aprile, Alvin Leung
- Grand Prize: CAD $100,000, plus the title and trophy of MasterChef Canada
Contestants: Top 12
Here is a table of the Top 12 contestants from Season 5, with their background and how they finished:
| Contestant | Age | Hometown / Region | Occupation / Background | Final Status / Elimination |
| Beccy Stables | 19 | Sherwood Park, Alberta | Tile setter assistant | Winner (June 19, 2018) |
| Andrew “Andy” Hay | 31 | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia | Small business owner | Runner-Up (June 19, 2018) |
| Michael Griffiths | — | Richmond Hill, Ontario | Mathematician | Eliminated in semifinal / just before finale |
| Other finalists / contestants | various ages | from provinces across Canada | diversified occupations (students, small business owners, etc.) | eliminated in other middle rounds |
(Note: public sources highlight Beccy, Andy, Michael G., and a few others. Many contestants’ background details are less well documented in sources.)
Winner, Runner-Up & What Set Them Apart
Winner: Beccy Stables
- Beccy Stables, at 19 years old, became the youngest winner in MasterChef Canada history.
- At the time, she was working as a tile setter’s assistant in Sherwood Park, Alberta.
- After winning, she and her family moved to Kelowna, British Columbia, to help support her budding culinary and dessert-focused ambitions.
- Beccy also ran a dessert-baking website and blog called DessertClub, showing her love for sweets and baking, which played a big role in her final challenge.
Runner-Up: Andy Hay
- Andy Hay, a 31-year-old small business owner from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, was the runner-up.
- He impressed in many challenges with bold flavour profiles and Atlantic Canadian influence. Although he didn’t win, his journey was strong and memorable.
What Made Beccy Stand Out
In the finale, Beccy and Andy had three hours to prepare a full three-course meal. Beccy presented:
- Appetizer: Scotch quail egg on a nest of potatoes and parsnips.
- Main: Rabbit two-ways on a Jerusalem artichoke purée.
- Dessert: Fallen apple pie.
Her dishes impressed the judges for their originality, thoughtfulness, and execution, especially for someone so young and new to high-stakes competition. Though some elements were imperfect (e.g. slight overcooking of parsnips in the appetizer), her dessert creativity and balanced flavours clinched it.
Beccy also made strong showings throughout the season. She was consistent in plating, presentation, and flavour, often earning praise for instinctive combinations and willingness to take risks. These qualities gave the judges confidence in her final performance.
Judges & Evaluation
The judging panel—Michael Bonacini, Claudio Aprile, and Alvin Leung—remained consistent with previous seasons. Their evaluation criteria included:
- Flavour and seasoning
- Technical skill and execution
- Creativity: original ideas, combinations, or twists on classics
- Presentation and plating
- Ability to handle pressure (especially in elimination rounds and in the final, which was non-stop three hours)
In Season 5, the judges emphasized journey as much as final dishes—how contestants improved under pressure, rebounded from mistakes, and handled complexity. Beccy’s progression impressed in that sense.
Legacy & Aftermath
- Beccy becoming the youngest winner changed perceptions: it showed age is less of a barrier when one has passion and technique.
- After winning, she declared she wouldn’t return to tile setting; her aim was to pursue cooking full-time, potentially in restaurant or expert dessert work.
- The season had strong viewership—averaging about 1.2 million viewers weekly in Spring 2018.
Hello, I’m Kapil Kumar, a seasoned SEO expert and blogger at WinnersList.in. My mission is to spotlight exceptional individuals and organizations across various domains. Through curated lists, profiles, and inspiring stories, I aim to celebrate outstanding achievements and inspire the next generation of champions. Join me in this journey.