MasterChef România has been a Pro TV ratings powerhouse since its debut in 2012, famous for its unforgettable judging trio of Cătălin Scărlătescu, Sorin Bontea and Florin Dumitrescu — a panel so beloved it later spun off into Romania’s own hit show, Chefi la Cuțite. Here’s the complete winners list for Seasons 1 through 5.
Quick Reference: MasterChef România Winners (Season 1–5)
| Sezon | An | Câștigător | Vârstă | Localitate | Ocupație |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012 | Petru Buiucă | — | — | — |
| 2 | 2013 | Aida Parascan | — | — | — |
| 3 | 2014 | Jesica Zamfir | — | — | — |
| 4 | 2014 | Ciprian Ogarcă | 24 | Craiova, Dolj | Agent de Asigurări |
| 5 | 2015 | Andrei Voica | 32 | Craiova, Dolj | Manager Restaurant |
Season 1 (2012): Petru Buiucă
MasterChef România premiered on Pro TV on 20 March 2012, becoming the country’s first local adaptation of the global cooking format. Petru Buiucă was crowned the very first MasterChef România champion, taking home the grand prize of €50,000.
Season 2 (2013): Aida Parascan
Aida Parascan won the second season of MasterChef România in 2013. Her victory brought significant life changes — in the years since, Aida has built a family with three children and launched a new business venture unrelated to cooking, while remaining a recognizable figure in Romanian media.
Season 3 (2014): Jesica Zamfir
Jesica Zamfir claimed the Season 3 title, continuing the show’s streak of strong, memorable champions under the original judging panel of Scărlătescu, Bontea and Dumitrescu.
Season 4 (2014): Ciprian Ogarcă
Season 4 premiered on 15 September 2014 and ran through 23 December 2014. Ciprian Ogarcă, a 24-year-old insurance agent from Craiova, Dolj, won the title after a dramatic journey through the competition — he was actually eliminated from the show on 25 November 2014, only to return on 9 December 2014, ultimately going on to win the entire season with an impressive 10 individual challenge wins.
This season also marked a major shift for the franchise: the judging panel changed for the first time, with Patrizia Paglieri, Adrian Hădean and Florin Scripcă replacing the original trio.
Season 5 (2015): Andrei Voica
Season 5 aired from 14 September 2015 to 14 December 2015, running 26 episodes. Andrei Voica, a 32-year-old restaurant manager also from Craiova, Dolj, won the season with 7 individual challenge victories throughout his run. His win marked a major turning point in his life and career, catapulting him into Romania’s food and hospitality industry as a recognized name.
Interestingly, both Season 4 and Season 5 champions — Ciprian Ogarcă and Andrei Voica — hailed from the exact same city, Craiova, making Dolj County an unofficial “MasterChef hotspot” during this era of the show.
MasterChef România Judges Across Seasons 1–5
- Seasons 1–3 (2012–2014): Cătălin Scărlătescu, Sorin Bontea, and Florin Dumitrescu — the original, most iconic trio, later reunited as judges on Romania’s Chefi la Cuțite
- Seasons 4–5 (2014–2015): Patrizia Paglieri, Adrian Hădean, and Florin Scripcă took over judging duties
Host of MasterChef România
Răzvan Fodor, a well-known Romanian TV presenter, hosted MasterChef România for six of its seven total seasons, including all five covered here.
What Came After Season 5?
The franchise continued to evolve:
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 6 | Robert Petrescu |
| 7 | Alina Gologan (aired without a dedicated host) |
| 2025 | Cosmina Boboc — winner of the €75,000 grand trophy, plus a separate €10,000 popularity prize won by Horia Petrovanu |
Celebrity MasterChef România also aired a single season in 2013, won by journalist Elena Lasconi, judged by the original trio of Scărlătescu, Bontea and Dumitrescu, and hosted by Răzvan Fodor.
Fun Facts About MasterChef România
- Judging legacy: The original Season 1–3 judging trio became so popular they later launched their own competing culinary show, Chefi la Cuțite
- Craiova connection: Both Season 4 and Season 5 winners came from the same city, Craiova
- Prize growth: The grand prize has grown over the years, reaching €75,000 by the 2025 season
FAQs
Who won the first season of MasterChef România? Petru Buiucă won Season 1 in 2012, taking home €50,000.
Who are the original judges of MasterChef România? Cătălin Scărlătescu, Sorin Bontea, and Florin Dumitrescu judged the first three seasons.
Who hosts MasterChef România? Răzvan Fodor has hosted the majority of the show’s seasons.
How much prize money do MasterChef România winners receive? The prize was originally €50,000 in early seasons, later growing to €75,000 by 2025.
Is there a Celebrity MasterChef România? Yes — a single celebrity season aired in 2013, won by journalist Elena Lasconi.