MasterChef España, broadcast on Spain’s public network TVE, has been captivating audiences since 2013 with its now-iconic judging trio and razor-sharp culinary standards. Here’s the complete breakdown of winners, runners-up, judges and prize details for the show’s first four seasons.
Quick Reference: MasterChef España Winners (Season 1–4)
| Temporada | Año | Ganador/a | 2º Finalista | 3º Finalista |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013 | Juan Manuel Sánchez | Eva Micaela Millán | Fabián León |
| 2 | 2014 | Victoria “Vicky” Pulgarín | Mateo Sierra | Cristóbal Gómez |
| 3 | 2015 | Carlos Maldonado | Sally Stephanih Caballero | Andrea Vicens |
| 4 | 2016 | Virginia Naranjo | Ángel García | José Luis Losa |
MasterChef España: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Network | TVE (La 1) |
| Prize Money | €100,000 |
| Additional Prizes | A cookbook publishing deal + training at Le Cordon Bleu (Seasons 1–2) or Basque Culinary Center (Season 3 onward) |
| Host | Eva González |
| Judges | Pepe Rodríguez, Samantha Vallejo-Nágera, Jordi Cruz |
Season 1 (2013): Juan Manuel Sánchez
MasterChef España premiered on 10 April 2013 and concluded on 2 July 2013, with just 15 contestants selected from over 9,000 people who applied for the casting. Juan Manuel Sánchez won the very first season, defeating runner-up Eva Micaela Millán and third-place finisher Fabián León.
Before his win, Juan Manuel worked as a waiter. After claiming the title, he opened his own bakery/pastry workshop in Albox, Almería, and went on to become the face of several food brand campaigns. The Season 1 finale drew an impressive average audience of 3.4 million viewers.
Season 2 (2014): Vicky Pulgarín
Season 2 aired from 9 April to 23 July 2014. Victoria “Vicky” Pulgarín claimed the title, beating runner-up Mateo Sierra and third-place Cristóbal Gómez. As part of her prize, Vicky traveled to France to train at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary academy — one of the last winners to receive this particular prize, as later seasons shifted this training component to Spain’s own Basque Culinary Center.
Season 3 (2015): Carlos Maldonado
Carlos Maldonado is widely regarded as MasterChef España’s most successful and decorated winner. After his Season 3 victory over runners-up Sally Stephanih Caballero and Andrea Vicens, Carlos went on to open his own restaurant, Raíces, which went on to earn a Michelin star as well as a Repsol Guide “sol” award — a rare and celebrated achievement among MasterChef alumni worldwide.
Season 4 (2016): Virginia Naranjo
Season 4 brought a heartwarming twist — Virginia Naranjo competed alongside her twin sister Raquel, who also made it deep into the competition but fell just short of the final. Virginia ultimately won the season, beating runner-up Ángel García and third-place José Luis Losa. After the show ended, the twin sisters teamed up to launch their own catering business together, Las Gemelas al Jerez (“The Twins in Sherry”).
MasterChef España Judges & Host
The judging panel has remained remarkably consistent since the show’s inception:
- Pepe Rodríguez — Michelin-starred chef, known for his rustic, traditional Spanish cooking expertise
- Samantha Vallejo-Nágera — chef and cookbook author, often praised for her technical precision
- Jordi Cruz — one of Spain’s youngest Michelin-starred chefs, known for his modern and avant-garde techniques
Eva González, former Miss Spain and television presenter, has hosted the show since it began.
What Came Next: Seasons 5–8
The franchise’s success continued well beyond Season 4:
| Season | Year | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2017 | Jorge Brazález |
| 6 | 2018 | Marta Verona |
| 7 | 2019 | Aleix Puig |
| 8 | 2020 | Ana Iglesias |
Notably, past winners Carlos Maldonado (S3), Jorge Brazález (S5) and Marta Verona (S6) later returned to mentor new contestants during Season 8’s casting rounds.
MasterChef Celebrity España
The celebrity spin-off launched in 2017, with winners including athletes, actors and public figures. Notable champions include Miguel Ángel Muñoz and Saúl Craviotto, the first two MasterChef Celebrity winners, who returned as guest mentors in later celebrity seasons.
FAQs
Who won the first season of MasterChef España? Juan Manuel Sánchez, a former waiter, won Season 1 in 2013.
How much prize money do MasterChef España winners receive? €100,000, along with a cookbook publishing deal and culinary training (Le Cordon Bleu in early seasons, Basque Culinary Center from Season 3 onward).
Who are the judges of MasterChef España? Pepe Rodríguez, Samantha Vallejo-Nágera, and Jordi Cruz — the same trio since Season 1.
Who hosts MasterChef España? Eva González has hosted the show since its debut.
Which MasterChef España winner became the most successful? Carlos Maldonado (Season 3) is widely considered the most accomplished, having earned a Michelin star at his restaurant Raíces.