MasterChef franchise expansion in Argentina

The MasterChef franchise in Argentina has seen continued expansion through various formats and media developments. Recent activity included the MasterChef Celebrity edition, which featured an aviation-themed challenge and a judging panel change where Fernando Trocca replaced Germán Martitegui. Concurrently, chef Germán Martitegui announced plans to reopen his restaurant, Tegui, in a new fine-dining format.

Following these developments, the third edition of MasterChef Junior premiered on Telefe, hosted by Verónica Lozano. The program, which features a jury composed of Maru Botana, Germán Martitegui, and former winner Ian Lucas, achieved high viewership. The premiere reached a peak of 11 rating points, significantly outperforming competing programs on other channels.

In a subsequent season following a ten-year hiatus, the show returned to Telefe with 14 contestants aged 8 to 13. The debut episode saw viewership start at 9.9 rating points and peak at 11.8 points. During the premiere, which featured a smash burger challenge, Germán Martitegui shared that his previous experience with the junior format influenced his decision to become a father.

Following the broadcast, a 9-year-old participant named Toto became the target of online backlash following a tense moment during a cooking challenge. The child released a video requesting that social media users stop the “negative comments and harassment,” stating that the “online hate was deeply affecting him.”