Junior MasterChef Italia brought the global cooking format to Sky Uno for young aspiring chefs, running for three seasons between 2014 and 2016 before being succeeded by Celebrity MasterChef Italia. Here’s the complete breakdown of the show’s three champions, judges and prizes.
Quick Reference: Junior MasterChef Italia Winners (Edition 1–3)
| Edizione | Anno | Vincitore/Vincitrice | Origine | Età |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014 | Emanuela Tabasso | Bari | — |
| 2 | 2015 | Andrea Picchione | Roma | 13 |
| 3 | 2016 | Nicolò Momesso (Alvisi) | — | 11 |
Junior MasterChef Italia: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Network | Sky Uno |
| Prize | €15,000 scholarship + family holiday trip |
| Episodes per Season | 10 |
| Contestants per Season | 14 |
Edizione 1 (2014): Emanuela Tabasso
Junior MasterChef Italia premiered on Sky Uno on 13 March 2014, airing weekly through 10 April 2014. Emanuela Tabasso, from Bari, was crowned the very first champion, defeating semifinalist Federico in a tense final round. Her winning dish throughout the competition included standout creations like a sea bream with a stuffed potato basket, which helped secure her place as the inaugural titleholder.
As her prize, Emanuela received a €15,000 scholarship and a family trip to Disneyland Paris.
Judges: Bruno Barbieri, Alessandro Borghese, Lidia Bastianich
Edizione 2 (2015): Andrea Picchione
Season 2 aired from 15 April to 10 June 2015, and marked a historic first — Andrea Picchione, a 13-year-old from Rome, became the first-ever male winner of Junior MasterChef Italia. He secured his spot directly in the final by winning the semifinal challenge, where he also earned the right to choose what his competitors would have to cook.
As his prize, Andrea and his family won a trip to Denmark, along with the €15,000 scholarship.
Judges: Bruno Barbieri, Alessandro Borghese, Lidia Bastianich
Edizione 3 (2016): Nicolò Momesso
The third and final season aired from 10 March to 5 May 2016. Nicolò Momesso, an 11-year-old aspiring chef, defeated finalist Stefania to claim the title. Throughout the competition, Nicolò consistently impressed judges — including winning a standout filetto di ventresca (tuna belly fillet) challenge during the season’s mid-run episodes.
As his prize, Nicolò and his family won a trip to Dubai, plus the standard €15,000 scholarship.
This season also brought a judging panel change, with celebrated chef Gennaro Esposito replacing Lidia Bastianich.
Judges: Bruno Barbieri, Alessandro Borghese, Gennaro Esposito
Junior MasterChef Italia Prize Breakdown
Every season offered the same core prize package:
- €15,000 scholarship/study fund
- A family holiday trip — Disneyland Paris (S1), Denmark (S2), and Dubai (S3)
Life After the Show: Where Are the Winners Now?
- Emanuela Tabasso (Season 1) returned to the show during Season 2 as a special guest, helping mentor new contestants in an early Invention Test
- Andrea Picchione (Season 2) remained passionate about cooking well beyond the show, continuing to pursue his culinary interests into his teenage years
- Nicolò Momesso (Season 3) also stayed closely connected to cooking after his win, continuing to build on his early culinary passion
What Came After Junior MasterChef Italia?
The junior format was eventually succeeded by Celebrity MasterChef Italia starting in 2016, shifting the franchise’s focus toward adult celebrities rather than child contestants. The regular adult edition of MasterChef Italia, meanwhile, has continued far beyond — reaching its 14th official season, with winners judged over the years by culinary heavyweights including Carlo Cracco, Antonino Cannavacciuolo, Joe Bastianich and Giorgio Locatelli.
FAQs
Who won the first season of Junior MasterChef Italia? Emanuela Tabasso, from Bari, won Edition 1 in 2014.
Who was the first male winner of Junior MasterChef Italia? Andrea Picchione, a 13-year-old from Rome, won Edition 2 in 2015.
How much prize money did Junior MasterChef Italia winners receive? A €15,000 scholarship, plus a family holiday trip that varied by season (Disneyland Paris, Denmark, and Dubai).
Who were the judges of Junior MasterChef Italia? Bruno Barbieri and Alessandro Borghese judged all three seasons, alongside Lidia Bastianich (Seasons 1–2) and Gennaro Esposito (Season 3).
Is there a Junior MasterChef Italia Season 4? No — the junior format ended after three seasons in 2016 and was replaced by Celebrity MasterChef Italia.