MasterChef Albania has aired on Top Channel since 2014 and was Albania’s first licensed MasterChef. I could confirm the winners of Seasons 1 and 2, but not the Season 3 winner (details below).
Quick Reference
| Season | Aired | Winner | Runner-up | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 March to 7 June 2014 | Alfio, 24, from Shkodra | Miklovan | €10,000 plus cookbook |
| 2 | 15 November 2014 to 14 February 2015 | Bleri, 21 | Indrit, from Kruja | €10,000 plus cookbook |
| 3 | 18 September 2015 to 1 January 2016 | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | — |
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Network | Top Channel |
| Narrator | Manjola Merlika |
| Prize | €10,000, the trophy and a published recipe book |
| Judges | Sokol Prenga, Renato Mekolli, Gëzim Musliaka (Seasons 1-2), Fundim Gjepali (Season 3) |
Season 1 (2014): Alfio
Auditions began across Albania in September 2013. 25 contestants were selected and 14 entered the MasterChef kitchen. Alfio, a 24-year-old from Shkodra, became the first Albanian MasterChef, beating the other finalist, Miklovan. His cookbook was to include the three dishes he served in the final.
Season 2 (2014-2015): Bleri
Bleri, 21, won after a 14-week competition, beating Indrit from Kruja in a finale with a Valentine’s Day theme. He discovered his love of cooking at 11, dedicated the win to his grandparents and said his grandmother’s kitchen was the best in the world. He took the trophy, €10,000 and a cookbook deal, and the three judges praised both finalists’ plates as high cuisine.
Season 3 (2015-2016)
Season 3 launched on 18 September 2015 and ran to 1 January 2016, with Fundim Gjepali joining the panel in place of Gëzim Musliaka. I couldn’t find a reliable source naming the winner, so I’ve left it blank rather than guess.
Judges
- Sokol Prenga, a judge on the main show throughout and later on Junior MasterChef Albania
- Renato Mekolli, chef and judge, later host and head chef of Top Channel’s Hell’s Kitchen Albania
- Gëzim Musliaka, judge in Seasons 1 and 2
- Fundim Gjepali, joined for Season 3
Related Shows
- MasterChef Junior Albania aired on RTSH from 27 March to 12 June 2018, with Sokol Prenga, Xheraldina Vula and Julian Zguro judging.
- Hell’s Kitchen Albania is a separate Top Channel cooking series, and Season 2 was won by Francesko Tuku in January 2020.
FAQs
Who won MasterChef Albania Season 1? Alfio, a 24-year-old from Shkodra.
Who won Season 2? Bleri, 21, who beat Indrit from Kruja.
Who won Season 3? I couldn’t verify it.
What is the prize? €10,000, the trophy and a published cookbook.
Who judges the show? Sokol Prenga, Renato Mekolli and Gëzim Musliaka, with Fundim Gjepali joining in Season 3.