On March 31, 2025, the popular cooking competition MasterChef 13 made its grand return to La 1 of Televisión Española, marking the beginning of a new season filled with culinary challenges and emotional journeys. This edition, referred to as 12+1, introduced 16 contestants who will compete for the coveted title, a cash prize of 100,000 euros, and the opportunity to publish a cookbook.
The premiere attracted an impressive audience, garnering a 14.4% share with an average of 2,985,000 viewers. As always, the esteemed judging panel, consisting of Pepe Rodríguez, Samantha Vallejo-Nágera, and Jordi Cruz, evaluated the final 40 contestants during a tense casting phase before selecting the official participants.
Among the 16 contestants are diverse individuals, each with unique backgrounds and aspirations. Ismael, a 42-year-old GEO police officer from Valencia, has a compelling story involving his role in the evacuation of Kabul during the Taliban invasion. He dreams of opening a small restaurant to spend more time with his daughter, Alicia.
Emilio, a 21-year-old law student and TikTok influencer from Toledo, brings a lively personality to the competition. He has garnered a following for his humorous content and aims to prove himself in the culinary world.
Elena, 53, from Guipuzcoa, has pursued her passion for cooking after surviving a near-death experience in 2012. After years of trying to get on the show, she finally achieved her goal and is determined to make her mark.
Ana María, at 62, has spent 37 years working as an administrator and is ready to showcase her self-taught culinary skills, particularly in traditional desserts. She embodies the spirit of perseverance, demonstrating that it's never too late to chase one's dreams.
Another contestant, Limin, 25, hails from Tenerife and has a multicultural background with Chinese parents. She aspires to prove herself in the kitchen while honoring her family's restaurant legacy.
Ariana, 20, originally from the United States, previously participated in MasterChef Junior USA. Now living in Barcelona, she uses her social media platform to share culinary content and is excited to compete again.
Eva, a 52-year-old occupational risk prevention technician from Madrid, is ready to shift gears and pursue her passion for cooking, hoping to open a family restaurant.
Gabriela, 31, left her job in finance after her father's passing and is determined to follow her culinary dreams, motivated by her large family and a desire to create a restaurant.
Victor, 44, a physiotherapist with three clinics in Madrid, has a deep passion for cooking and is eager to demonstrate his culinary skills.
Chema, 32, from Seville, is an entrepreneur with a diverse background in various industries. He hopes to showcase his innovative cooking style while managing his health condition, ankylosing spondylitis.
Other contestants include Jorge, a digital project manager from Madrid, Ana, a journalist with a background in events, Flores, a dog trainer from Alicante, Yago, a financial advisor from Málaga, and Miguel, a commercial worker from Madrid.
The first challenge took the contestants to Santillana del Mar for an outdoor team competition. The excitement quickly turned into tension as Jorge and Ariana, the team captains, were tasked with deciding who would face elimination. This unexpected twist added a layer of complexity to the competition.
Ultimately, Limin, Yago, and Miguel received black aprons and faced the dreaded elimination challenge. Miguel, the first contestant to be eliminated, expressed his disappointment but also gratitude for the experience. He stated, "I would have liked to show what I know about cooking; I could have learned a lot with you. I’m very disappointed. I’ve enjoyed my time with everyone here; they’re all wonderful. I’m leaving happy. It’s been a sea of emotions with ups and downs, and I’ve realized that if I love cooking, I have to continue down this path."
The emotional response from Miguel's fellow contestants highlighted the strong bonds forming among them, even in such a short time. The competition is known for its intense challenges, and the first elimination set the stage for what promises to be a gripping season.
As MasterChef 13 continues, viewers can expect the usual array of culinary challenges, emotional moments, and the quest for culinary excellence. The next episode will feature three more challenges and another elimination, keeping contestants on their toes as they strive to impress the judges and avoid the dreaded black apron.
With a mix of seasoned contestants and fresh faces, MasterChef 13 is poised to deliver another unforgettable season of culinary competition, showcasing not just cooking skills but also the personal stories that make each contestant unique.
