Favy Wins MasterChef Nigeria, Becomes First-Ever Champion

According to Ireporter Online, Favour Bessan, popularly known as Favy, has emerged as the winner of the maiden edition of MasterChef Nigeria after 13 weeks of intense culinary challenges, creativity and determination.

The 26-year-old defeated her final rival, Fads, in a highly competitive finale to claim the prestigious MasterChef Nigeria trophy alongside a grand cash prize of ₦73 million.

The final episode featured a demanding three-course menu challenge designed to test the contestants’ cooking skills, creativity and ability to tell a story through food. The competition was judged by renowned culinary experts, Chef Stone and Chef Eros, who evaluated the dishes based on taste, presentation and originality.

Before the final cooking challenge began, the judges encouraged both finalists to create dishes that reflected their personal journeys and culinary identities.

Favy impressed the judges with a carefully crafted menu featuring smoked salmon with potato mash and roasted bell pepper soup as her starter. Her combination of flavours, presentation and creativity ultimately earned her the historic title of becoming the first-ever MasterChef Nigeria champion.

Her victory marked the conclusion of a remarkable journey throughout the competition, where she consistently displayed confidence, resilience and the ability to perform under pressure. She also made history earlier in the season as the first contestant to win the MasterChef Nigeria Immunity Pin, an advantage that helped secure her place in the semi-finals.

Speaking after her victory, an emotional Favy described the achievement as a dream come true, dedicating the milestone to aspiring home cooks who believe that passion, dedication and hard work can create life-changing opportunities.

Since its premiere on April 26, 2026, MasterChef Nigeria has attracted widespread attention by celebrating the diversity of Nigerian cuisine and showcasing the talents of everyday home cooks across the country. Over the course of 13 weeks, contestants participated in various challenges, including pressure tests, mystery box tasks, team competitions and eliminations that highlighted the richness of Nigeria’s food culture.

The Managing Director of Primedia Africa, Tamara van Eeckhoven, congratulated Favy and praised all contestants, judges, sponsors and partners for contributing to the success of the first season.

She noted that the show was created to celebrate Nigeria’s culinary talent and described Favy’s journey as a reflection of the values the competition represents — passion, resilience, creativity and excellence.

The inaugural season was supported by several sponsors and partners, including Power Oil, Addme, Minimie Chinchin, Indomie, Dano Milk, Malta Guinness, Kellogg’s, Power Pasta, Sonia Tomato Mix, Pretty Lady Rice, Wild Africa, South African Tourism, Lagos Fashion Week and other brands.

With Favy’s historic victory, MasterChef Nigeria has officially crowned its first champion while opening a new chapter for culinary entertainment in the country.