After a brief hiatus due to a massive power outage that left the Iberian Peninsula in darkness, 'MasterChef 13' made its much-anticipated return on Monday, May 5, 2025, with another thrilling episode that saw the departure of a beloved contestant. The episode kicked off with a special visit from Melody, Spain's representative at Eurovision, who came to promote her upcoming single "ESA DIVA" just two weeks before the final. Her presence added a musical flair to the competition as contestants engaged in a song-guessing challenge, where they had to identify the title, artist, and era of various songs.
Bea emerged as the star of this challenge, correctly guessing the most songs and earning the privilege to assign cooking ingredients to her fellow contestants. This advantage, however, did not translate into success for her, as she was later awarded a black apron for producing a dish deemed inedible by the judges.
The contestants faced a daunting task in the next segment, where they were required to cook using invasive marine species and overpopulated Iberian species. Ingredients included rabbits, wild boar, river crabs, blue crabs, and various types of algae. The challenge took a toll on Limin, who suffered an anxiety attack upon encountering the rabbits, revealing her squeamishness and discomfort with the sight of blood.
As the contestants prepared their dishes, Chema, Emilio, Clara, and Ana María stood out with their culinary creations, with Chema ultimately being declared the best of the group. Following this initial challenge, the contestants traveled to Talavera de la Reina for an outdoor cooking challenge at Semillas, a social project led by Carlos Maldonado, a previous winner of 'MasterChef' and the first contestant to earn a Michelin star.
In this segment, Chema and Emilio were appointed as team captains. Chema's team included Clara, Ariana, Yago, Ana, and Víctor, while Emilio's team comprised Ismael, Gabriela, Ana María, Bea, and Limin. The teams were tasked with preparing a menu for 70 guests, showcasing the culinary talents they had honed throughout the competition. Tension ran high as both teams navigated the challenges of cooking under pressure.
Ultimately, Chema's team emerged victorious, with the judges praising their efforts despite some chaotic moments during the cooking process. However, Iago, who had performed poorly in a previous challenge, was still forced to wear a black apron despite being part of the winning team.
Back in the kitchen, the contestants returned with black aprons for the elimination challenge. They were presented with three boxes of ingredients, each symbolizing a different stage in the career of renowned chef Martín Berasategui. Contestants had to prepare a dish using these ingredients while demonstrating their culinary skills with professional equipment.
During the cooking process, the judges allowed contestants in the balcony area to save one of their peers. They unanimously chose to save Yago, which led to Victor volunteering to take his place in the challenge. As the dishes were presented, the judges expressed disappointment in the quality of several plates, noting that Ismael, Victor, and Ana María had failed to impress.
After deliberation, Pepe Rodríguez announced that Ana María, the oldest contestant at 62 years, would be leaving the competition. His words reflected the sentiment among the contestants, as he remarked that she was "the axis on which the house piloted." Her departure sparked an emotional response from her fellow competitors, many of whom had grown close to her during their time together.
"I feel very guilty because if I hadn’t chosen her for my team, she would likely still be here," Emilio confessed through tears. Ana María, in her farewell, expressed her gratitude for the experience, stating, "I've said it a hundred thousand times: this has been a dream for me. I can only give thanks for the opportunity to have lived this experience." Her heartfelt goodbye resonated with her teammates, who acknowledged her pivotal role in maintaining harmony within the group.
As the episode concluded, viewers were left with a mix of emotions, reflecting on the challenges faced by the contestants and the bonds formed throughout the competition. With the departure of Ana María, the dynamics of the kitchen are sure to shift, raising questions about how the remaining contestants will navigate the challenges ahead without her steady presence.
In a show that continually tests the limits of culinary skill and emotional resilience, 'MasterChef 13' remains a captivating spectacle, drawing viewers into the lives and stories of its contestants.
