After 13 weeks of unforgettable challenges, 26-year-old Favour Bessan, better known as Favy, has been crowned the winner of MasterChef Nigeria Season 1, taking home the coveted MasterChef Nigeria trophy and the N73 million grand prize.
The historic finale saw Favy go head-to-head with fierce competitor Fads in a gruelling challenge that drew on every skill they had acquired and honed throughout the competition.
Judged by renowned culinary experts Chef Stone and Chef Eros, the showdown proved to be the ultimate test of both contestants’ creativity, composure, decision-making and excellence.
For their final assignment, the two home cooks were tasked with creating a three-course menu that reflected their culinary identity. Before cooking began, Chef Stone encouraged them with a simple but powerful instruction: “Cook from your heart. Put yourself on the plate.”Favy rose to the occasion with a menu that reflected confidence, technique and imagination. For her starter, she served smoked salmon with potato mash and roasted bell pepper soup.
Her carefully curated menu impressed the judges with its balance of flavour, presentation and storytelling, ultimately earning her the title of Nigeria’s first MasterChef.Favy’s victory marked the culmination of one of the season’s most remarkable journeys. Throughout the competition, she consistently demonstrated resilience, poise under pressure and an unwavering commitment to growth.
She also made history as the first contestant to win the MasterChef Nigeria Immunity Pin, a strategic advantage that proved pivotal in securing her place in the semi-finals. In her remarks, Favy described the moment as “a dream come true” and dedicated the achievement to every aspiring home cook who believes that passion, perseverance and hard work can open extraordinary doors.
On the success of the inaugural season, Tamara van Eeckhoven, Managing Director of Primedia Africa, the producer of MasterChef Nigeria, thanked the contestants, judges, headline sponsor Power Oil, and all the sponsors and partners whose invaluable contributions brought the series to life.
The show’s sponsors include headline sponsor Power Oil, Addme, Minimie Chinchin, Indomie, Dano Milk, Malta Guinness, Kellogg’s and Power Pasta, alongside supporting sponsors Sonia Tomato Mix, Pretty Lady Rice, Wild Africa, South African Tourism, Lagos Fashion Week, Golden Penny Flour, Golden Penny Sugar, Golden Penny Garri, Golden Penny Semolina, Golden Penny Chocolate Spread, Golden Penny Wheat, Deli and Kola, Simi Teds, and The Alternative Bank.
