Here’s something that sets MasterChef België apart from most global versions of the franchise: from the very beginning, it was a celebrity-only format, airing on VTM in Flanders starting in 2010. Famous Belgian faces — from tennis stars to future business moguls — competed for the title rather than amateur home cooks. Here’s the complete breakdown of the show’s first three champions.
Quick Reference: MasterChef België Winners (Season 1–3)
| Seizoen | Uitzending | Winnaar | Bekend Als |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 juni – 29 juli 2010 | Sabine Appelmans | Voormalig tennisster |
| 2 | 4 juli – 18 augustus 2011 | Bart Van den Bossche | Bekende Vlaming |
| 3 | 2 juli – 23 augustus 2012 | Marc Coucke | Ondernemer, later miljardair |
MasterChef België: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Network | VTM (Vlaanderen) |
| Format | Celebrity-only edition (BV’s — Bekende Vlamingen) |
| Season 1 Contestants | 36 |
| Season 2 Contestants | 30 |
| Season 3 Contestants | 35 |
| Schedule | Monday–Thursday broadcasts |
Season 1 (2010): Sabine Appelmans
MasterChef België premiered on VTM on 28 June 2010, running for 20 episodes until 29 July 2010, with a cast of 36 famous Belgian faces. The finale, broadcast on 29 July, came down to a fierce cook-off featuring singer/actor Axel Daeseleire, TV host Bart Kaëll, and former professional tennis player Sabine Appelmans, who ultimately claimed the very first MasterChef België title.
Guest Judge throughout the season: Peter Goossens, the legendary three-Michelin-starred Belgian chef
Host: Stéphane Buyens
Season 2 (2011): Bart Van den Bossche
Season 2 aired from 4 July to 18 August 2011 across 28 episodes, featuring a slightly smaller cast of 30 celebrities. Bart Van den Bossche was crowned the Season 2 champion, with the judging panel now featuring chefs Wout Bru and Jean-Paul Perez.
Season 3 (2012): Marc Coucke
Season 3 ran from 2 July to 23 August 2012, spanning 32 episodes with 35 celebrity contestants. Marc Coucke — the businessman who would later become one of Belgium’s most famous billionaire entrepreneurs (founder of Omega Pharma and owner of RSC Anderlecht) — won the title this season, judged by Wout Bru and Kenny Bernaerts.
MasterChef België Judges & Hosts (Seasons 1–3)
- Stéphane Buyens — Season 1 host
- Peter Goossens — Season 1 guest judge, the three-Michelin-starred chef who would go on to become a central figure in the franchise’s later Celebrity MasterChef Vlaanderen revival
- Wout Bru — judged Seasons 2 and 3
- Jean-Paul Perez — Season 2 judge
- Kenny Bernaerts — Season 3 judge
What Came After Season 3? The Celebrity MasterChef Vlaanderen Revival
After a long hiatus, the franchise was revived under the rebranded title Celebrity MasterChef Vlaanderen, relaunching from 2023 onward with a smaller, more intimate format of just 10 celebrity contestants per season, judged by Peter Goossens, Inge Waeles, and Michaël Rewers:
| Season (Revival) | Year | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023 | Linde Merckpoel |
| 2 | 2024 | Olga Leyers |
| 3 | 2025 | Daphne Velghe |
Interestingly, all three winners of the revival era have been women, with Daphne Velghe’s 2025 win coming after an intense final cook-off judged by a jury boasting a combined 13 Michelin stars, including guest judges Michaël Vrijmoed, Maarten Bouckaert and Floris Van Der Veken — former sous-chefs of Peter Goossens himself.
Fun Facts About MasterChef België
- Celebrity from day one: Unlike most global MasterChef franchises, Belgium’s version has always featured famous faces rather than amateur home cooks
- Future billionaire: Season 3 winner Marc Coucke went on to become one of Belgium’s wealthiest entrepreneurs
- Three-time women’s streak: The Celebrity MasterChef Vlaanderen revival era (2023–2025) has crowned three consecutive female champions
- Elite judging power: The 2025 finale featured a judging panel representing a combined 13 Michelin stars
FAQs
Who won the first season of MasterChef België? Sabine Appelmans, a former professional tennis player, won Season 1 in 2010.
Who won MasterChef België Season 2? Bart Van den Bossche claimed the title in 2011.
Who won Season 3? Businessman Marc Coucke, who later became one of Belgium’s most famous billionaires, won in 2012.
Is MasterChef België always a celebrity format? Yes — from its very first season, the show has featured famous Belgian personalities rather than amateur cooks.
What is the show called today? The revived, modern version is branded Celebrity MasterChef Vlaanderen, airing on Play since 2023.
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