MasterChef Junior Colombia aired for just one season, back in 2015, and was never renewed. It remains, however, one of the most beloved and emotionally memorable entries in the Colombian MasterChef franchise.
MasterChef Junior Colombia: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Network | RCN Televisión |
| Production | RCN Televisión & 5 y 6 Producciones |
| Premiere | 22 July 2015 |
| Finale | 22 September 2015 |
| Episodes | 43 |
| Age Range | 8 to 13 years old |
| Initial Contestants | 36 |
| Host | Claudia Bahamón |
| Judges | Jorge Rausch, Nicolás de Zubiría, José Ramón Castillo |
| Winner | Yulitza Sarmiento |
Who Won MasterChef Junior Colombia?
Yulitza Sarmiento, a young cook from Barranquilla, was crowned the one and only MasterChef Junior Colombia champion in 2015, beating out an original field of 36 children aged 8 to 13 from across the country — all competing to become the nation’s best young chef.
Yulitza’s win became one of the most fondly remembered moments in the Colombian franchise’s history, celebrated for the warmth and tenderness she and her fellow young contestants brought to the show. In the years following her victory, she has continued to balance her studies with various cooking-related projects, staying connected to her culinary roots.
How the Competition Worked
The season followed the standard elimination format: after an initial audition phase narrowed the field down to 36 young finalists, contestants faced off in weekly culinary challenges, with one or two children eliminated per week based on taste, creativity and technique, as judged by the panel.
The Judges & Host
- Jorge Rausch — one of Colombia’s most celebrated chefs, a constant presence across nearly every version of the Colombian MasterChef franchise
- Nicolás de Zubiría — respected Colombian chef, also a franchise regular
- José Ramón Castillo — acclaimed Mexican pastry chef, bringing an international perspective to the junior judging panel
Claudia Bahamón, Colombia’s most recognizable MasterChef host, presided over the season — continuing her role across every edition of the franchise, from the adult version to Celebrity MasterChef.
MasterChef Colombia: The Bigger Franchise Picture
To put the Junior season in context, here’s how it fits within Colombia’s full MasterChef timeline:
| Edition | Year | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| MasterChef Colombia (S1) | 2015 | Federico Martínez |
| MasterChef Junior (only season) | 2015 | Yulitza Sarmiento |
| MasterChef Colombia (S2) | 2016 | Leonardo Morán |
| MasterChef Celebrity (S1) | 2018 | Piter Albeiro |
| MasterChef Celebrity (S2) | 2019–2020 | Adriana Lucía |
| MasterChef Celebrity (later seasons) | — | Carla Giraldo |
Interestingly, Federico Martínez (Season 1 winner) went on to open a restaurant called “Anónimo” in Barranquilla alongside fellow contestant María Luisa Arias, while Adriana Lucía — the Celebrity Season 2 winner — notably reinvested part of her 200 million peso prize to support workers at her family’s restaurant, “La Tienda Del Porro,” during the pandemic.
Fun Facts About MasterChef Junior Colombia
- Youngest-ever competitor: Yulitza Sarmiento is remembered as one of the youngest and most beloved competitors across the entire Colombian MasterChef franchise
- Only one season: Despite the Junior edition’s popularity, RCN never produced a second season, instead shifting focus to the Celebrity format starting in 2018
- Consistent judging panel: Jorge Rausch and Nicolás de Zubiría have judged across nearly every version of MasterChef Colombia, including the adult and celebrity editions
FAQs
How many seasons of MasterChef Junior Colombia have aired? Just one — it aired from July to September 2015 and was never renewed.
Who won MasterChef Junior Colombia? Yulitza Sarmiento, from Barranquilla, won the show’s only season.
How many children competed? 36 contestants aged 8 to 13 began the competition.
Who hosted and judged MasterChef Junior Colombia? Claudia Bahamón hosted, with judges Jorge Rausch, Nicolás de Zubiría, and José Ramón Castillo.
Is there a MasterChef Celebrity Colombia too? Yes — the celebrity edition has run for multiple seasons since 2018, with winners including comedian Piter Albeiro and singer Adriana Lucía.