# MasterChef franchise expansion in Argentina > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/masterchef-franchise-expansion-in-argentina > Updated: 2026-10-17T03:47:01.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2. 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.” ## Timeline ### 2026-10-17: MasterChef Junior returns to Telefe with high ratings Telefe premiered MasterChef Junior in Argentina with high ratings. The debut featured 14 young chefs and a panel including Germán Martitegui, though participant Toto later requested an end to online hate. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/masterchef-junior-premieres-on-telefe-with-high-ratings ### 2026-10-09: MasterChef franchise expands with new editions and restaurant openings in Argentina The MasterChef franchise remains a central fixture in Argentine media, with new developments in MasterChef Celebrity, the upcoming launch of MasterChef Junior, and chef Germán Martitegui's restaurant reopening. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/esteban-mirol-criticizes-masterchef-celebrity-and-judge-germn-martitegui --- Cite as: MasterChef franchise expansion in Argentina. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/masterchef-franchise-expansion-in-argentina