MasterChef Chile premiered on Canal 13 in October 2014, bringing the global cooking format to Chilean television with host Diana Bolocco and an internationally flavored judging panel. Here’s the complete breakdown of the show’s first two champions.
Quick Reference: MasterChef Chile Winners (Season 1–2)
| Temporada | Año | Ganador/a | Edad | Ocupación | Premio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014–2015 | Daniela Castro | 26 | Artista Visual | $25 millones + auto + libro de recetas |
| 2 | 2015–2016 | Alfonso Castro | 63 | Garzón (Mesero) | $25 millones + auto + viaje a España |
MasterChef Chile: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Network | Canal 13 (2014–2019), later TVN (2026–present) |
| Production | Canal 13 in collaboration with Shine International |
| Host | Diana Bolocco |
| Premiere | 26 October 2014 |
| Judges | Yann Yvin, Christopher Carpentier, Ennio Carota (Seasons 1–2) |
Season 1 (2014–2015): Daniela Castro
MasterChef Chile premiered on 26 October 2014 and ran through 1–2 February 2015 (sources vary slightly on the exact finale date), drawing an average rating of 15.7 points across its 22-episode run. Daniela Castro, a 26-year-old visual artist, was crowned the show’s very first champion, beating runner-up Ignacio Riveros (a garbage collector) in the grand finale, after also defeating fellow finalist Leonora Saavedra in an earlier elimination round.
Her win came with a hefty prize package: $25 million Chilean pesos, the opportunity to publish her own recipe book (“Las mejores recetas de Daniela Castro”), and a surprise brand-new car revealed during the finale episode. Interestingly, her victory was met with some audience controversy at the time, as many viewers had favored runner-up Ignacio Riveros.
A decade later, Daniela remains closely tied to the culinary world — she now appears as a panelist on Mega’s morning show “Mucho Gusto” and continues sharing recipes on social media.
Season 2 (2015–2016): Alfonso Castro
Season 2 premiered on 18 October 2015 and concluded on 28 January 2016, drawing an even stronger average rating of 16.8 points across 24 episodes. Alfonso Castro, a 63-year-old waiter, won the title in a tightly contested finale against fellow finalist Max Cabezón, ultimately taking the judges’ vote 8 to 2 after both competed in a head-to-head cook-off using identical base ingredients.
As his prize, Alfonso received $25 million Chilean pesos, a car, and a trip to Spain to visit El Celler de Can Roca, then ranked the best restaurant in the world. Runner-up Max Cabezón received a consolation prize of $10 million pesos. True to his low-key personality, Alfonso’s life changed relatively little after his win — he continued working as a waiter at Restaurant Don Carlos, planning to use his prize money for a relaxed retirement rather than a dramatic career shift.
MasterChef Chile Judges (Seasons 1–2)
- Yann Yvin — French chef, judged Seasons 1–2
- Christopher Carpentier — one of Chile’s most celebrated and award-winning chefs, named 2010 Chef of the Chilean Bicentennial, and the only judge to remain on the panel continuously from Season 1 to present
- Ennio Carota — Italian chef, judged Seasons 1–3
What Came After Season 2?
The franchise continued with multiple seasons and format expansions:
| Season | Years |
|---|---|
| 3 | 2017 |
| 4 | 2019 |
| 5 | 2026 (new network: TVN) |
A Junior MasterChef Chile spin-off also launched, premiering on 20 March 2016, featuring exclusively younger contestants.
Fun Facts About MasterChef Chile
- Biggest age gap between winners: Daniela Castro won at 26, while Alfonso Castro won at 63 — one of the largest age differences between consecutive champions in any MasterChef franchise worldwide
- Longest-serving judge: Christopher Carpentier has remained on the judging panel from Season 1 all the way through the most recent seasons
- Consistent prize package: Both early winners received $25 million Chilean pesos, plus additional prizes like cars and international travel
- Network change: After years on Canal 13, the franchise moved to TVN starting with its 2026 revival
FAQs
Who won the first season of MasterChef Chile? Daniela Castro, a 26-year-old visual artist, won Season 1 in early 2015.
Who won MasterChef Chile Season 2? Alfonso Castro, a 63-year-old waiter, won in January 2016.
Who hosts MasterChef Chile? Diana Bolocco has hosted the series since its debut.
How much prize money do MasterChef Chile winners receive? $25 million Chilean pesos, along with additional prizes like a car and, in Season 2, an international trip to Spain.
Is there a Junior version of MasterChef Chile? Yes — Junior MasterChef Chile premiered in March 2016 as a spin-off featuring younger contestants.