13 Worst Cooks in America Contestants Who Turned Kitchen Fails Into TV Gold
Worst Cooks in America has spent over a decade turning kitchen catastrophes into binge-worthy TV, all while introducing viewers to a chaotic crew of loveable, clueless, and occasionally brilliant contestants. We’ve compiled a few unforgettable recruits who turned disaster into reality TV greatness.
Brett Had a “Muscle Meal” Plan
Credit: Instagram
Season 15 contestant Brett came in swinging, with biceps and bravado. He joked about his “muscle meals” and confessed to sweetening them with artificial sugar because he had a “sweet tooth.” His early elimination disappointed fans, many of whom rooted for his redemption arc in the finale.
Carla’s Chaos Stole the Show
Credit: X
Carla, who first appeared in Season 4, may not have been the best cook, but she was unforgettable. Her over-the-top crush on Bobby Flay and erratic kitchen behavior made her a standout. She later popped up in Worst Bakers in America.
Amber and the Fingernail Whisk
Credit: IMDb
In one of the show’s most “did she really just do that?” moments, Season 5’s Amber tried whisking with her fingernails, but that wasn’t all. She also attempted to microwave meatballs and nearly started a fire. Amber was one of the most human contestants the series has seen.
Jenny Was Season 1’s Underdog
Credit: Instagram
As one of the first-ever contestants in Season 1, Jenny gave Worst Cooks its blueprint: total confusion mixed with warmth. She once mistook baking soda for flour and torched a grilled cheese beyond recognition, yet her persistence stood out.
Shatima Was a Princess and a Fighter
Credit: Facebook
Shatima quickly became a fan favorite not just for her personality but also for her willingness to improve. By the mid-season mark, she was delivering solid dishes. Her friendship with fellow contestants, especially Hazell, created one of the most likable dynamics on the show.
Steven Crowley Had Star Power
Credit: Instagram
As part of the Season 12 cast, Steven Crowley, a self-described actor and content creator, stood out with his on-camera charisma and social media-ready personality. He had the kind of presence that made him hard to ignore, even when his food was objectively terrible.
Leo’s “Mr. Brown” Moment
Credit: Instagram
Leo, who appeared during the Alton Brown-hosted season, won over fans simply by constantly calling the chef “Mr. Brown.” It turned into an ongoing gag throughout the episodes. Even though Leo wasn’t the strongest chef in the group, the polite persistence and deadpan delivery made him unforgettable.
Chet’s Kindness Left a Mark
Credit: Instagram
Chet, who competed in Season 4, had the genuine kindness and likeability that stood out in a cast full of loud personalities. Fans remember him for his love for New Orleans recipes and his grandmother’s cooking.
La Toya Jackson’s Wild Card Energy
Credit: Facebook
While La Toya Jackson is best known for her music career and famous last name, her time on Worst Cooks proved she was game for anything, so long as it didn’t involve actual cooking competence. Somehow, she walked away with the win.
Allison and the Iconic Fanny Pack
Credit: Instagram
Season 15’s Allison Wolfe rocked a fanny pack in nearly every episode. She had no problem poking fun at herself and rolled with every failure, including raw chicken and scorched rice. Despite the chaos, she stuck with it and wound up winning the entire season under Anne Burrell’s guidance.
Peachez Made Drag History
Credit: Instagram
Peachez brought drag to the kitchen in one of the show’s more recent seasons. Off-screen, they hosted a virtual drag bingo session for a corporate event. Peachez’s performance was more about personality than plates.
Daniel Mar Captured the Camera
Credit: Food Network
Season 10 winner Daniel Mar was a photographer before entering boot camp, and his eye for detail may have helped him in the kitchen. His improvement was noticeable as he moved through the challenges, and his calm approach made him a standout in a season full of chaotic personalities.
Gilbert Gottfried’s PB&J Simplicity
Credit: Instagram
Celebrity seasons are always chaotic, but no other appearance matched the simplicity of Gilbert Gottfried making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It wasn’t fancy, but the image of the late comedian fumbling through basic tasks remains etched in fan memory.
Brandon Reported His Own Mishaps
Credit: Instagram
Brandon, a sports reporter who joined Season 12, delivered commentary on his own cooking disasters like he was calling a playoff game. Even though he didn’t win, his kitchen misadventures came with the best play-by-play narration the show’s ever seen.
Spencer and Skyler Turned Sibling Chaos into Comedy
Credit: X
Twin brothers Spencer and Skyler turned every challenge into a sibling showdown. Their identical confusion over timing, portions, and plating had the mentors constantly doing double-takes. While neither made it to the finale, their banter and cluelessness gave viewers some of the season’s funniest moments.